LONDON — Former England midfielder Joe Cole has joined Aston Villa on a free transfer, the Premier League club said Tuesday. Cole, 32, has signed a two-year deal after being released by West Ham United. "This is a massive club and there's a massive opportunity for the club to push on," he was quoted as saying on BBC Sport. "I've been lucky enough to have a really good career but there's still a lot more I want to achieve." The London-born player, who won 56 caps for England, began his career at Upton Park before moving in 2003 to Chelsea, where he won three league titles. He joined Liverpool in 2010 but could not hold down a regular first-team place, and spent the 2011-12 season on loan at French club Lille. Cole is Villa's second signing of the close-season, after Philippe Senderos on a free transfer from Valencia. Duff joins A-League side Former Chelsea and Newcastle United winger Damien Duff has signed a one-year deal with Australia's Melbourne City, the A-League club said Tuesday after securing its second major international signing in a week. The Manchester City-owned club last week announced the recruitment of Spain's all-time leading goalscorer David Villa for a three-month stint between October-November. Duff, who has 100 international caps for Ireland, left relegated Fulham last month and had also played for Blackburn Rovers in the English Premier League. "We're excited to have a player of Damien's quality and experience for this season," Melbourne coach John van't Schip said in a statement. Playing under the name Melbourne Heart, the club finished bottom of the 10-team A-League last season. ‘Reus not for sale' German star Marco Reus, who has been ruled out of the World Cup because of injury, is not for sale, Borussia Dortmund manager Michael Zorc insisted Monday. "Firstly, Marco Reus has himself said he will play next season at Dortmund," Zorc told Tuesday's edition of the daily Die Welt. "And secondly, it would be of no use to make an offer because we have no intention of letting Marco go," he added of reports linking Barcelona with a 35-million-euro ($47.7) bid for the player. Reus missed out on the trip to Brazil after tearing a ligament during a friendly against Armenia Friday, and has been sidelined for six weeks. Reus, 25, scored 16 goals in the Bundesliga and a superb double against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals. He signed for Dortmund in January 2012 from Bundesliga rivals Moenchengladbach and his contract runs until 2017 with the Bundesliga runners-up. Friedel staying at Tottenham Former United States goalkeeper Brad Friedel has signed a new one-year contract to stay at Tottenham Hotspur until 2015, the Premier League club said Monday. Friedel will combine playing with a role as an ambassador for the London club, including a special focus on the US, Spurs announced on their website (www.tottenhamhotspur.com). The 43-year-old stopper made a Premier League record 310 consecutive appearances between 2004 and 2012 playing for Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and Tottenham. He spent most of the 2013-14 season on the bench as reserve for French international goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. Friedel made 82 appearances for the United States and represented his country at two World Cups. — Agencies
