Former England international midfielder Joe Cole has revealed that he has left West Ham United for a second time in search of more regular first-team football.
After being sold to Chelsea in 2003 and having spells at Liverpool and Lille, the 32-year-old returned to Upton Park on an 18-month contract in January 2013.
However, he did not feature much for Sam Allardyce's side in the 2013-2014 Premier League season, with his last start for the Irons coming in a 3-3 draw against West Bromwich Albion in December.
Cole insists that his relationship with the Hammers remains healthy, but feels that he needs to be playing more often as he enters the final years of a career that has seen him earn 56 England caps.
He told talkSPORT: "I'm a free agent now and I'm looking for a new club. My relationship with West Ham is great, but obviously it didn't work towards the end of this season and I didn't play enough.
"I'm just going to take my time over the summer and find the right fit. At this stage of my career, finances are not important for me. I want to enjoy my football, I want to compete and I just want to play more."
Cole made 37 appearances during his second West Ham spell, scoring five goals.
Joe Fish
