Joe Cole has outlined the reasons for his departure from both West Ham United and Liverpool as the former England international looks for the fifth club of his career.

The 32 year old has been released by The Hammers after two years back at Upton Park. Cole made just six starts in the top flight in the 2013/14 season and will be available on a free transfer this summer.

Before a loan spell at Ligue 1 club Lille, Cole joined Liverpool in 2010 where he failed to make an impact but despite an inauspicious return to West Ham the veteran midfielder is seeking a new chapter in his career.

"I'm a free agent now and I'm looking for a new club," he told talkSPORT. "My relationship with West Ham is great, but obviously it didn't work towards the end of this season, I didn't play enough.

"So I'm just going to take my time over the summer and find the right fit. At this stage of my career money isn't important to me, I just want to enjoy my football, I want to compete and I want to play more.

"I also want to move back into a more central position, go to the club where I have a good connection with the manager and I'd also like to help the younger players in the squad with my experience, if I can."

On his spell at Anfield, Cole added: "It's a difficult one for me because as soon as I signed for Liverpool, the owners who signed me all left.

"It was a club in transition, the new owner then came in with new ideas and I didn't get a run in the side that I perhaps needed to find my best form and get a regular spot in the team.

"So it was hard for me there but the fans were great. It was the first time I'd ever lived outside of London and they [Liverpool fans] made me feel very welcome, but the football just didn't work."

Cole's departure comes amid uncertainty regarding the future of manager Sam Allardyce, who remains West Ham manager following showdown talks with co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold.

Allardyce guided West Ham to a 13<sup>th place finish in the Premier League but has come under increasing criticism from supporters over the style of play adopted by the first team.

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