Midfielder Joe Cole has revealed that his "heart and motivation" to remain a Premier League player was the main reason for joining Aston Villa.

Cole has signed a two-year deal at Villa Park after being released by West Ham United, and after turning down lucrative offers from abroad, the former England international wants to prove that he can still compete at the highest level.

The 32-year-old is quoted by the Birmingham Mail as saying: "I had offers from all over the world, some weird and wonderful places. Football is such a global sport, but the chance to stay in England and go to a massive club like Villa was too good to turn down.

"As soon as I spoke to the gaffer, everything else was irrelevant really. That was it. I just wanted to play for Villa.

"Financially, I could have gone and earned a fortune playing in other countries but it has never been about the money. My heart and motivation was always to play at this top level and in this great league."

Cole scored three times in 25 matches last season, but many of his appearances came from the substitutes' bench.