Began his footballing career with Arsenal but opportunities were limited and he was transferred to Bristol City in July 1992 for a fee of £500,000.

He impressed at City and Newcastle subsequently paid £1,750,000 for his services, and helped them secure promotion into the Premier League in his first season.

During 1993/94 he scored 34 League goals and won the European 'Golden Boot' and the PFA Young Player of the Year award.

He joined Manchester United in January 1995 for a British record transfer deal, though things took a while to go to plan. He played his part in United's successes but was hit by injury and loss of form.

He started the season with pneumonia, then broke both legs in a Reserve team tackle with Neil Ruddock, while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made hay in the first team.

He returned for 1997/98 campaign and finished as United's top scorer with 25 goals only to be left out of England's squad for France 98.

The arrival of Dwight Yorke led to a superb partnership with his new bosom buddy and they grabbed 53 goals between them as United roared to the Treble.

His reputation for not scoring on the big occasion was answered with a goal in the Champion's League semi-final and the goal that secured the Premiership title against Tottenham on the last day of the season.

Season 1999/2000 was his best for United as he scored 22 goals, with a couple of contenders for Goal of the Season, and he passed 100 goals for the Red Devils.

He also found time to release a single, "Outstanding". He is, despite the views of many knockers, a better player than singer!

Broke Dennis Law's European goal scoring record (14) in style when netting a hat-trick against Anderlecht in the Champions League on September 13, 2000.

Has had a patchy England career since making his debut against Denmark in 1995 and despite being one of the best strikers in the Premiership has missed the last two major tournaments, World Cup 98 and Euro 2000.

Had a disagreement with manager Glen Hoddle ahead of France 1998 and was left out of the Euro 2000 squad by his former Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan because of a minor foot injury.

With Alan Shearer now retired from international football, it was thought Cole would have great chance to make his mark on the World stage.

One of the few players who played the whole 90 minutes against Spain, in February 2001, and despite not getting on the score sheet his unselfish attacking play left the way clear for others to get the goals as England won 3-0.

England's World Cup qualifier against Finland in March was Cole's 12th international without a goal. But the striker did have a hand in both Michael Owen's and David Beckham's strikes as England won 2-1.

Eventually Cole scored his first international goal against Albania in March. It was his 13th appearance for England and he characteristically had a hand in both of England's other goals as they won 3-1.

Cole now fears for his place in the England squad as the arrival of Dutch striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy at United means he is no longer first choice striker at the club. Media reports suggest the forward may return to Newcastle for regular football.

That exact reason meant Cole played just 15 times for United by the end of the year, scoring five goals. He knew he would have to move on to have a chance of playing in the World Cup.

Blackburn came in for him and, on December 29, Cole moved to Ewood Park for an undisclosed fee - believed to be in the region of £8million.

Cole said: 'There was no chance of me playing regularly so it did not take me long to make my mind up.

'I'm very excited. Blackburn may not be as big a club as Manchester United or Newcastle United but when you see the manager here, what he did as a player and what he told me about his plans for the future of the club, that made my mind up.'

Rovers boss Graeme Souness added: 'I am absolutely delighted. I've said all season that the thing we have missed is someone who is a goalscorer and, in Andy, we've gone for the very best. It would be hard for us to make a better signing.

'I'm really happy. Players are very expensive and the board have pushed the boat out.'

Made his debut in a 1-0 defeat at Blackburn, but grabbed his first goal in his next game - a 2-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday in the Worthington Cup semi-final, first leg. Also scored on his home debut in the Premiership in a 4-1 win over Charlton Athletic.

Was also the star as Blackburn lifted the Worthington Cup at the Millennium Stadium with a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur - Cole netted the winner. Would go on to score 13 goals in 20 games by the end of the season.