Former Chelsea and England defender Ashley Cole has arrived in Italy and is expected to complete his free transfer to Roma later on Monday.

The 33-year-old left-back is a free agent following his release by the Blues earlier this summer and had been linked with  a number of teams, both in the Barclays Premier League and in Europe.

Cole has flown to the Italian capital, with Roma posting a photo on their official Twitter feed, with the message: "Welcome to Rome, Ashley!".

The defender left Arsenal in May 2000 as part of a deal which saw William Gallas join the Gunners, and spent eight seasons with Chelsea, during which he won the Champions League, Europa League, Premier League and four FA Cups.

Cole earned 107 England caps, but announced his retirement from international football ahead of the World Cup after he was left out of Roy Hodgson's squad for the finals in Brazil.