Premier League announces two new additions to the Hall of Fame

Andrew Cole and John Terry have been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.

The duo, who came out on top from a shortlist of 15 players which was sent to a public vote Premier League Awards Panel, join Ashley Cole in the Class of 2024 after the former England left-back was inducted earlier this year.

Andrew Cole is the fourth-highest goalscorer in league history after racking up 187 goals from 414 appearances – a tally which includes just one penalty – across his time with Newcastle United, Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers, Fulham, Manchester City, Portsmouth and Sunderland.

His move to Man Utd in 1995 set a new British transfer record and, alongside strike partner Dwight Yorke, he would play a crucial role in the Red Devils’ dominance between 1998 and 2001.

“I’m proud of everything I’ve achieved in football, which is thanks to my family, my coaches and my team-mates, and being inducted into the Hall of Fame makes me very proud,” Cole said.

“Football is a game of ups and downs, but I enjoyed every single minute of my career. My dad wanted me to play cricket, but I said, ‘No dad, I think I’m good at football.’ Looking back at my career always fills me with great pride and puts a smile on my face.

“The reason you play football and compete at the highest level is to win major honours. It was so, so special for me to win so many trophies and five Premier Leagues. To get my first one was crazy and after that I just wanted to win more.”

Cole is joined in the Hall of Fame by Chelsea hero Terry, who led the Blues to five Premier League titles and holds the records for both most clean sheets in league history (214) and most goals as a defender (41).

“I’m very grateful to have been voted into the Premier League Hall of Fame,” Terry reflected. “I’m a player that certainly gave my all whenever I stepped out on the pitch and to be recognised in this way makes me really proud.

“It’s great to have joined my former team-mates who have already been inducted, and to be inducted in the same year as Ashley Cole, who was an incredible player and a close friend.

“I was lucky to share a dressing room with so many top players. To captain a club like Chelsea and achieve what we did as a team is so special to me. The Premier League is the best league in the world, which every player hopes to play in, and I’m very proud to have won it five times.”