6 top defenders who switched to lesser leagues in the twilight of their careers

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Paolo Maldini

#4 Ashley Cole

Ashley Cole
Ashley Cole

After ending his Italian misadventure with the termination of his contract with AS Roma, Ashley Cole signed with MLS side LA Galaxy in January 2016. He made his debut for the Galaxy against Mexican club Santos Laguna in the CONCACAF Champions League. Cole then made his MLS debut against DC United playing full 90 minutes in a 4-1 win.

Cole was sent off twice in eight games as Galaxy qualified for the MLS Cup Play-offs with Cole scoring once, a last-minute equaliser against New York Red Bulls. In the Western Conference semi-finals, the Galaxy were beaten by the Colorado Rapids in a penalty shootout. Cole failed to convert his spot kick.

His second season at the club was a rather disappointing one as the Galaxy finished last and failed to make it to the play-offs for the first time since 2008. Cole scored once, against Real Salt Lake in a 6-2 home loss and was sent off against Columbus Crew.

Cole was handed the captain’s armband by Head Coach Siegfried Schmid ahead of the 2018 season.

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