Liverpool have won the rights to Joe Cole on a free transfer after the English midfielder parted ways with Chelsea this spring.

Cole, 28, has agreed to a £90,000 a week contract with Anfield pending the passing of a physical, according to ESPN Soccernet. Arsenal and Tottenham were also interested in the services of Cole, who struggled for playing at Samford Bridge under Carlo Ancelotti.

It’s the first major signing by new manager Roy Hodgson and is likely to reassure stars Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard that Liverpool is serious about a return to the Champions League.

Cole is also rumored to wear number seven.