The LA Galaxy's road to acquiring former English international Ashley Cole has almost reached its conclusion. The 35-year-old full back looks destined for LA now.

Cole bought out

On Saturday, historic Italian club AS Roma bought out the remaining five months of Cole’s contract. By doing this, the final obstacle has been cleared and the Galaxy is now free to sign the three time World Cup veteran. An announcement for the signing of Cole to LA might happen as soon as Tuesday, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Galaxy silent on the subject

The Galaxy has declined to comment about the possible arrival of the Englishman to the StubHub Center. However, if everything goes to plan, then Cole will become the seventh player brought to LA in the off season.

Potential contract details

The former Chelsea defender will not be a Designated Player (DP) for the five-time MLS Cup champions, since all three spots are currently in use. The three DP’s are: captain Robbie Keane, Mexican international Giovani Dos Santos and Cole’s former England teammate, Steven Gerrard. So, if the former England Player of the Year comes to LA it won’t be on a huge contract.

Roster nearly full

With the addition of Cole to the roster, LA will have 27 out of a possible 28 players. The pool of  defenders for the Galaxy will now be up to eight.

What does Cole bring?

What the LA Galaxy will be getting from Cole is experience. The English fullback enjoyed a long and fruitful career with England. He made his debut for The Three Lions on March 28th, 2001 against Albania. From there, Cole went on to represent England 107 times before retiring from the national team in 2014, leaving his name in the history books as the most capped English fullback ever.

The 35-year-old also has played in some of the biggest clubs in the world. He began his career in 1998 with, Arsenal, and he helped the Gunners to win two English Premier League titles (2001-2002 and 2003-2004) and three FA Cups (2001-2002, 2002-2003 and 2004-2005).

He left the Gunners in 2006 and joined rivals Chelsea. Cole went on to win another Premier League title (2009-2010) and four more FA Cups (2006-2007, 2008-2009, 2009-2010 and 2011-2012). However, with the Blues he tasted continental glory twice. He helped Chelsea win the UEFA Champions League in May of 2012 and then the UEFA Europa League in May of 2013.

Issues in Italy

However, the solid career of Cole went south when he decided to leave England in 2014 to compete in the Serie A with Roma. Throughout his career, the 35-year-old was used to starting or at least earning consistent minutes, but he made only 14 appearances for the Giallorossi.

Implications of his addition

At the age of 35, Cole will need to work his way back into starting shape, or he might find himself on the bench for the five time MLS Cup Champions. The main reason for that is because his position is currently held by Robbie Rogers, who has established himself as one of the best left backs in MLS. Additionally, the Galaxy's chief need is at center back, given that LA sold USMNT center back Omar Gonzalez to Pachuca of Liga MX.

However, LA’s head coach and general manager Bruce Arena can make it work by putting Cole as a starting left back, moving Rogers to right and slotting A.J. DeLaGarza in at center back. DeLaGarza has experience playing that position for the Galaxy.

When could Cole be in a Galaxy uniform?

The Galaxy will open training camp on January 22nd, and their first test of the season will come on February 24th when they host Santos Laguna in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinal.