With a brief statement published on their official webpage, Scottish Premier League champions Celtic have confirmed the signing of Anglo - Nigerian forward Carlton Cole.<br /><br />The former England international, who was a free agent, has now appended his signature to a contract that will keep him at G40 3RE until the summer of 2017.<br /><br />A product of Chelsea, the 32 - year - old spent time on loan at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Charlton Athletic and Aston Villa while on the books of the Londoners before he was acquired on a permanent basis by West Ham in 2006.<br /><br />Cole appeared more than 250 times for the Hammers in the Premier League, scoring 57 goals, before he was released at the end of last season after his contract expired.<br /><br />He joins Nigeria international defender Efe Ambrose at the 46 - time champions of Scotland.<br /><br />Photo Credit : celticfc.net<br />