Former Arsenal, Chelsea and England left-back Ashley Cole turns 36 today, so Happy Birthday from everyone hear at Shoot!

The ex-England international, who is still playing over in the MLS with LA Galaxy, after a spell in Serie A with Roma, has enjoyed quite the career.

Starting out at Arsenal as a youngster, the Londoner was loaned out to Crystal Palace before returning to Highbury and really kicking off his Premier League career.

His first major silverware in north London came in 2002, winning a league and FA Cup double with Arsenal. However, undoubtedly his most successful league season came in the 2003/04 campaign.

Having beaten Southampton in the 2003 FA Cup final at the end of the season before, the Gunners went on to make Premier League history. Cole was part of Arsene Wenger’s invincibles side which lifted the title in 2004, having not lost a single game.

Cole won another FA Cup with the Gunners in 2005 before making his controversial move to Chelsea in 2006, where he went on to become a club legend.

During his time at Stamford Bridge, the full-back picked up another Premier League winners medal, four FA Cups and, his biggest achievement, the Champions League in 2012.

The 107-cap international’s career is well documented. However, here are FIVE things you may not know about him…

Family Ties

The former England man, whose father was from Barbados, is related to American singer, Mariah Carey.

Carey discovered the link when she was looking into her roots in order to find a link with Jazz legend, Nat King Cole.

High Praise

Four time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo has hailed Cole as the toughest player he ever faced.

The LA Galaxy man has often been praised as one of best left-backs to have ever played, and praise from the likes of Ronaldo goes a long way to confirming that.

Big Regrets

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger once claimed that letting Ashley Cole leave, after a dispute surrounding his contract with the club, as one of his biggest regrets during his Arsenal tenure.

The Frenchman felt the success that Cole went onto enjoy should have been experienced in north London.

Close Call

During his contract saga at Arsenal, Cole had a close call when he “nearly swerved off the road,” after finding out that Arsenal were ‘only’ offering him £55,000-a-week.

Big Rivals

Despite having a falling out with Arsenal, it is clear that his roots have remained with him.

During Chelsea’s clash with Tottenham earlier this season, Cole threw plenty of flak at Spurs fans on social media, he really isn’t a fan of Mauricio Pochettino’s side.