Liverpool outcast Joe Cole has rejected late interest from Aston Villa to join French side Lille on loan until the end of the season.
Cole was given permission to speak to the French champions on Tuesday evening and he is hoping that the move will revive his once-promising career at both club and international level.
The England midfielder joined the Reds on a free transfer from Chelsea last summer but has struggled to impress under Reds manager Kenny Dalglish and has made just 20 league appearances.
"Liverpool announced today it had finalised a deal with Lille OSC for the loan transfer of Joe Cole," said a club statement.
"The 29-year-old will now join the French champions for the remainder of the current campaign."
Villa boss Alex McLeish reportedly made a late attempt to hijack his move to France as he tries to add creativity to his squad after letting Ashley Young and Stewart Downing leave earlier in the summer but the prospect of playing in this season's Champions League was a major draw for Cole.