Carlton Cole is relishing the prospect of West Ham United’s pre-season tour to Australia.
The Hammers are set to take on A-League side Perth Glory and Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur Down Under with both mouthwatering games set for Perth’s Optus Stadium on Saturday 15 July and Tuesday 18 July respectively.
It marks a first trip to Australia in 28 years and Cole is thrilled that the Club will be returning to a country that the Hammers share so much history with.
With the likes of Lucas Neill, Stan Lazaridis, Hayden Foxe, Richard Garcia and the late Dylan Tombides having all represented the Hammers at first-team level, Club legend Cole is looking forward to seeing this generation of Irons thrilling fans on Australian turf.
“Perth is a beautiful city and I’m going to go back home with high praise of what I’ve encountered so far,” he beamed, speaking at the launch in the capital of Western Australia.
“We’re going to come back here in July and enjoy it, make sure the fans get their money’s worth, that the city gets its money’s worth too, and just crack on and have a great time.
“I’ve always wanted to visit Australia. I feel the country has a lot to offer the world, and football as well. A lot of stars have come from here – Mark Viduka, Lucas Neill was our captain at West Ham. Harry Kewell is a legend of the Premier League and we had Stan Lazaridis at our Club too.
“We’ve got [Perth-born] Dylan Tombides, who was tragically taken from us by testicular cancer and we hold in very high regard at West Ham.
“We’ve got a link here with West Ham, so we just want to fulfil it as well.”
Cole is also expecting a couple of memorable battles on the pitch, with both Perth Glory and Tottenham set to provide ideal tests in pre-season.
“When you’re talking about rivalries between West Ham and Spurs, it’s one of the biggest games of the season for West Ham,” he explained.
“Perth Glory will come out of the traps, making sure they leave no stone unturned. They’ll make it hard for the boys, but it will be a great game.
“[We want the fans to] come down, support, make loads of noise, get the atmosphere flowing and enjoy the game, because I’m sure that the West Ham players will put on a great game for the city and the people connected. We’re going to put on a great show.”
Western Australia Tourism Minister Roger Cook cannot wait to welcome the Hammers to his state in July.
He added: "Western Australia will once again become Australia's home of international football when these English Premier League superstars descend on Perth later this year.
"Perth is the only place in Australia where you can see English Premier League clubs in action in 2023.
"I am also looking forward to our own Perth Glory matching it with some of the best players in the world.
"The two blockbuster events have been locked in ahead of the highly anticipated FIFA Women's World Cup 2023, when Perth hosts five spectacular matches as part of the world's biggest women's sporting event.”
