Joe Cole: Kop flop will always haunt me

Joe Cole has admitted his failure at Liverpool will haunt him for ever.

But the England international is hoping that a season in the Champions League with ambitious Lille will prove his salvation... and catapult him back onto the international stage.

Cole has sealed a one-year loan spell with the French club, after turning down rival offers from the likes of Spurs, Aston Villa and QPR.

And after a Eurostar journey to north-east France to complete the deal, the former Chelsea star admitted the chance of redemption in Europe's premier competition was the deciding factor.

"There were lots of reasons why I chose Lille - they are a beautiful club, with a family atmosphere and they play attractive attacking football," he explained.

"But I like the challenge, too. I want the chance to play in the Champions League, and maybe get people in England watching French football and watching me by bringing some success to the club.

"I admit it hurt me that it did not work out at Liverpool. I am a winner, and it will stay with me that I didn't have a successful time at the club, because obviously I went with the ambition of being a success.

"But I can't look back, I have to move on to the next challenge, and this is a perfect challenge.

"Back home, they don't know much about French football, and I hope to change that."

Villa made a last-ditch attempt to persuade Cole to change his mind about the switch to France, even ringing him on his journey through the Channel Tunnel to ask him to turn around and head to the Midlands.

But Cole was swayed by the pull of the Champions League - none of the other clubs in the hunt for his signature were able to offer participation in the competition.

It is clear the midfielder believes joining Lille will offer him a platform on which he can prove himself after such a devastating year at Anfield, with the chance, perhaps, to earn one last big move next summer.

"It's really exciting to have an opportunity to play in the Champions League again. I wanted this challenge," he explained.

"I think it suits me to play in France, and to play for a club like Lille, who have intelligence in their football - I like teams with that.

"I think playing continental football will suit me, and it's certainly attractive for me. It's a different playing style, and I think I will fit in here.

"Above all, it will be an interesting experience, and I think I'm doing the right thing.

"I reckon I can help Lille as much as they will help me - maybe my experience and the quality I will bring can help them win more trophies."

Liverpool have been forced to take a major financial hit in allowing Cole to go on loan for the season, and have agreeing to continue paying around half of the player's wages.

That amounts to almost £50,000 a week for a player who will not even be in their squad, but the gesture does strengthens the Kop's relations with Lille, which could prove important in the future.

The Reds are long-term admirers of the French club's exciting young winger Eden Hazard.

In-demand Hazard has chosen to stay for another season with the team, but is expected to leave next summer in a big-money transfer - and Liverpool now have a head-start in any deal.

Despite Cole's regret that his move at Anfield didn't work out, he insisisted he is not bitter about the experience.

"The support I received from everyone at Liverpool was great and it was a huge honour to have a chance to play at Anfield but things just didn't work out as I hoped they would, unfortunately," he added.

"It goes without saying that I wish all the players, supporters and staff all the very best for the rest of the season."