Ashley Cole: Ex-Chelsea player flies into Rome

Roma have posted a picture of former Chelsea defender Ashley Cole arriving in the Italian capital amid speculation he is about to join the Serie A club.

The 33-year-old is a free agent having not being offered a new Stamford Bridge contract and has been linked with a lucrative move to the Italian club.

Cole's agent has said that the player is set to move abroad.

On Monday, Roma's Twitter feed posted a picture  of Cole with the message: "Welcome to Rome, Ashley."

Ashley Cole fact file

November 1999:

Makes Arsenal debut in League Cup

March 2001:

Makes England senior debut in World Cup qualifier against Albania

2002:

First-choice left-back as Arsenal win the Premier League and FA Cup double

August 2006:

Signs for Chelsea

May 2010:

Wins the second double of his career

May 2012:

Wins a record seventh FA Cup Final

May 2012:

Wins the Champions League final at the third time of asking

January 2013:

Agrees new one-year contract with Chelsea

May 2014:

Retires from international football after failing to make England's World Cup squad

May 2014:

Announces he is likely to have played his last game for Chelsea

On Sunday the player's agent, Jonathan Barnett, told BBC Sport that Cole was set to move abroad but that nothing had yet been confirmed.

"We are taking our time," added Barnett. "Several clubs are interested but at the moment we are just talking to clubs based abroad."

Cole spent eight years with Chelsea and won the Premier League in 2010 as well as the 2012 Champions League.

He also won four FA Cups with the Blues to add to the three he lifted with Arsenal, where he was also a Premier League champion twice.

Cole endured a frustrating 2013-14 campaign under returning manager Jose Mourinho, starting just 15 Premier League games in a trophy-less season for the Blues.

He won 107 caps for England and announced his retirement from international football when he was not selected for the 2014 World Cup.

Roma will compete in the Champions League in 2013-14 after finishing second in Serie A last term.