Carlton Cole declared bankrupt despite earning millions throughout his career
Former Three Lions striker, who won seven caps, once earned around £30,000 a week and spent nine seasons at West Ham
FORMER England international Carlton Cole has gone bankrupt – despite earning £30,000 a week at the peak of his career.
The 34-year-old striker, who played for Premier League clubs Chelsea and West Ham, was given the verdict at London's High Court.
A spokesman for Cole issued a statement to SunSport. It read: "Carlton Cole is currently working mentoring young people and footballers about the pitfalls of life and money.
"He will be going into more detail in the coming weeks about the advice that contributed to this situation and the people he had around him who had a negative effect on his career and finances."
Cole added: "I hope my story will help young footballers to take responsibility for who they listen to and take advice from.
"Unfortunately, I didn’t realise what was going on until my career was in the latter years and too late for me to turn things around."
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The case was brought by financial advice firm Quantuma.
He scored 51 goals in 289 top-flight games and won seven England caps.
Cole, who was declared bankrupt on June 27, is now launching his 'CCTwelve Football Academy' in East London.
It offers kids between the age of seven and 14 the chance to "play against professional academies".
After leaving West Ham in 2015, Cole moved to Celtic and then Sacramento Republic in the US.
His last playing stint was five months last year with Indonesian top-flight side Persib, who he left in August.
Cole made his pro debut as an 18-year-old for Chelsea under Claudio Ranieri in 2002.
Loan stints at Wolves, Charlton and Aston Villa followed before he settled at West Ham in 2006.