The 29-year-old has spent seven seasons at Upton Park but struggled for form in 2012-13, scoring only twice.

Cole’s future at the club appeared in doubt as the club have agreed a fee to sign Andy Carroll on a permanent deal.

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce said: “Carlton’s need at his age is to be playing football as often as he can. We felt it better he found pastures new.”

Cole, who has seven England caps, joined West Ham from Chelsea in 2006.

His last goal for the club was in a home defeat by Everton last December and he indicated on Tuesday on Twitter that he would be looking for a new club.

He said:  “Life is filled with ups and downs – today is a down but I’ll be back! Carlton Cole has left the building.

“I came to east London not knowing what to expect but I’m glad I did. The last 7 years I’ve met a lot of good honest decent people. Thank you.”

His departure was confirmed on the club’s official website  on Wednesday.

West Ham’s joint chairman David Gold tweeted:  “Good luck @CarltonCole1 – one of the nicest men I’ve ever met in football.”

Meanwhile, the club have announced they are still in talks with midfielder Gary O’Neil, 30, over a new deal.

Allardyce said: “For Gary, negotiations are ongoing and that will be done between the chairmen and his agent now.”

West Brom’s match programme included a generous 40-page tribute to the Scot’s quarter century of service, which included an observation by Roy Hodgson to the effect that once Arsène Wenger steps down as well an era really will have ended, since it is difficult to imagine 20-year managerial reigns in the future. “You won’t see the likes of that again,” the England manager predicted.

To the surprise of absolutely no one, Ryan Giggs came on for the last half hour. Probably won’t see the likes of him again either. Or Paul Scholes, that other one-club veteran, who was inevitably introduced for the final quarter of the game so that he could officially take his leave in the company of the only manager he has ever known. Cue “Paul Scholes he scores goals,” from the United end, in addition to “Ryan Giggs, Ryan Giggs, flying down the wing.” Cue Giggs doing just that three minutes after taking the field to lay on United’s fifth goal for Javier Hernández. The United fans just lapped it up. They have never had it so good, and they know it.

The final scoreline resembled a testimonial game and there was an end of term atmosphere on the pitch — United were ahead after six minutes when Shinji Kagawa nodded in Hernández’s cross following a terrific crossfield pass by Alex Buttner, then doubled their lead three minutes later as Jonas Olsson diverted Antonio Valencia’s cross past his own goalkeeper — though for a fixture in which nothing was at stake the stewards behind Anders Lindegaard’s goal were kept busy. Not entirely unexpectedly, some United supporters had managed to get their hands on tickets for the home section, and the early goals seemed to blow their cover. Isolated fights began to break out and several ejections had to be made, with one fan cheekily attempting to take a short cut across the pitch to reach the sanctuary of the United support but being apprehended in the process.

By midway through the first half the travelling fans had relaxed to the extent of asking Ferguson for a wave (he obliged) and updating their repertoire of anti-City choruses to take in the developments of the past week at the Etihad. When Buttner added a third goal on the half hour, drilling a low shot across Ben Foster after Tom Cleverley’s easy square pass had exposed Albion’s lack of cover on the right, several home fans could be seen heading for some respite on the concourses. Most of them had reappeared in time to see James Morrison pull a goal back just before the interval, turning in a Graham Dorrans cross after Buttner had given the ball away to Youssouf Mulumbu.

Romelu Lukaku runs to celebrate with West Brom fans after completing his hat-trick in Albion’s thrilling 5-5 draw with Manchester United. 

Romelu Lukaku was introduced for the second half and immediately brought West Brom back into contention with a well-taken goal after Jonny Evans had stood off for a fraction too long, only for United to almost effortlessly push further in front with six-yard line strikes by Robin van Persie and Hernández. Scholes was unable to get onto the scoresheet, despite every encouragement from Giggs and the away support, though he did pick up a trademark booking for a typically wild challenge on Claudio Yacob. United were a little rattled at that point, for Lukaku had again got himself in front of Evans to score his second of the afternoon and Mulumbu brought the Baggies to within a goal of parity after a neat interchange with Billy Jones.

A stern-faced Ferguson’s response was to send on Rio Ferdinand for Evans, and this time not for sentimental reasons. Lukaku was not to be denied, however, and completed his hat-trick with a scrambled effort four minutes from time. With 17 goals for the season, perhaps David Moyes should sign him up.

The 38-year-old signed a five-month deal at Paris St-Germain in January and donated all of his salary to charity.

Beckham made 115 appearances for England and 394 for Manchester United, winning six Premier League titles and the Champions League.

“I’m thankful to PSG for giving me the opportunity to continue but I feel now is the right time to finish my career, playing at the highest level,” he said.

Including PSG’s recent Ligue 1 title win, Beckham has won 19 trophies – 10 of them league titles – in a playing career spanning 20 years, and is the only English player to win championships in four countries.

“If you had told me as a young boy I would have played for and won trophies with my boyhood club Manchester United, proudly captained and played for my country over 100 times and lined up for some of the biggest clubs in the world, I would have told you it was a fantasy,” he said.

“I’m fortunate to have realised those dreams.”

Beckham moved to Real Madrid in 2003, winning La Liga with them in 2007 before a switch to the United States with LA Galaxy.

The midfielder made his England debut against Moldova in 1996 and captained the side from 2000 to 2006, making his 115th and final England appearance in a 3-0 win over Belarus in 2009.

“To this day, one of my proudest achievements is captaining my country. I knew every time I wore the Three Lions shirt, I was not only following in a long line of great players, I was also representing every fan that cared passionately about their country,” said Beckham.

Beckham was the first English player to score at three consecutive World Cup finals and has the joint-second most goal assists in European Championship finals history.

In March 2013, Beckham became the first sportsman from outside of China to be invited to become the ambassador for the sport in the country

He added: “Nothing will ever completely replace playing the game I love. However, I feel like I’m starting a new adventure and I’m genuinely excited about what lies ahead.

“I’m fortunate to have been given many opportunities throughout my career and now I feel it’s my time to give back.”

He has two more games to go before the end of the season, concluding on 26 May at Lorient.

THE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Wednesday announced the names of Super Eagles players for the friendly game against Mexico later this month with the stars of the 2013 Nations Cup dominating the list.

The 25-man squad picked by Head Coach, Stephen Keshi will soon go into camp in preparation for the game billed for May 31 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, United States.

Nigeria is also preparing for two 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches in June before traveling to Brazil to participate in the FIFA Confederations Cup.

The Super Eagles will count on its English Premier League stars to lead the way, including Chelsea midfielders, John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses.

The Keshi also called in two players based in the German Bundesliga, two from Serie A in Italy, two from the Scottish Premier League and two from the Portuguese Liga. Mexico is expected to release its roster in the coming days.

Mexico and Nigeria have met three times with a 1-0-2 record in favour of Mexico. The two teams last met in October of 2007 in an international friendly, which ended in a 2-2 tie at the Estadio Olimpico Benito Juarez in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua.

In the team are goalkeepers Chigozie Agbim (Warri Wolves), Austin Ejide (Hapoel, Israel), and Vincent Enyeama (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel).

The defenders are Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves), Efe Ambrose (Celtic, Scotland), Elderson Echiéjilé (Sporting de Braga, Portugal), Kenneth Omeruo (Ado Den Haag, Holland), Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars), Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars), Francis Benjamin (Heartland), and Odunlami Kunle (Sunshine Stars).

John Mikel Obi will leads the midfilders, including his Chelsea mate, Victor Moses, Ogenyi Onazi (Lazio, Italy), John Ogu (Academia de Coimbra/Portugal), Obinna Nwachukwu (Heartland), Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers), Michael Babatunde (Kryvbas Kryvyi, Ukraine), and Reuben Gabriel (Kilmarnock, Scotland.)

In the strike force are Joseph Akpala (Werder Bremen, Germany), Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine), Anthony Ujah (Koln, Germany), Nnamdi Oduamadi (Varese, Italy), Kalu Uche (Kas?mpa?a, Turkey), Gambo Mohammad (Kano Pillars, Nigeria).

Rafael Benitez’s reign as Chelsea’s interim manager will end in triumph after Branislav Ivanovic’s injury-time header won the Europa League final against Benfica in Amsterdam.

Benitez has proved an unpopular appointment with Chelsea’s supporters but they were celebrating wildly in the Amsterdam Arena as they added this trophy to the Champions League won last season.

Fernando Torres scored against the run of play to put Chelsea ahead on the hour but Oscar Cardozo’s penalty deservedly drew Benfica level.

Benitez joins multiple winners

Chelsea’s triumph means Rafael Benitez becomes only the fourth manager to win the Uefa Cup/Europa League more than once. Others to have achieved that feat are:

• Giovanni Trapattoni: 1977 (Juventus); 1991 (Inter); 1993 (Juventus)
• Luis Molowny: 1985 & 1986 (Real Madrid)
• Juande Ramos: 2006 & 2007 (Sevilla)

Blues keeper Petr Cech saved superbly from Cardozo and Frank Lampard struck the woodwork in a dramatic conclusion before Ivanovic – suspended for last year’s Champions League final – rose to meet Juan Mata’s corner deep into stoppage time to prompt a subdued clenched-fist celebration from Benitez.

It was a night when Chelsea rode their luck for periods against their Portuguese opponents but the sheer grit and resilience shown in grinding out this win in their 68th game of the season is a tribute to their reserves of character.

As for Benitez, he will leave Stamford Bridge following Sunday’s final Premier League game against Everton a satisfied – and probably in-demand – manager after guiding the west Londoners into next season’s Champions League and claiming a major trophy after succeeding Roberto Di Matteo in November.

Benfica, with their greatest ever player Eusebio watching from the stands, were attempting to lift their European curse and end a 51-year barren sequence but have now lost seven successive European finals, many of their players slumping to the turf in tears at the final whistle.

Chelsea, with Eden Hazard already out with a hamstring injury, also had to do without captain John Terry for a second successive European final after he failed to recover from the ankle problem he sustained at Aston Villa.

Analysis

Graeme Le Saux Former Chelsea defender on BBC Radio 5 live

“Rafael Benitez managed the squad and the players look like they’re together. That stems from the manager and he’s galvanised that squad. There’s a will about the team. He deserves credit and it’s a shame that some people want to tear that page out of the history books because of something he said a long time ago.”

The inspiration of Hazard was sorely missed in a lifeless first half from Chelsea, when they were only spared by Benfica’s tendency to over-elaborate and their dreadful finishing.

Nicolas Gaitan, in particular, was a culprit when he twice shot wildly off target after Benfica’s precise approach play had opened up Chelsea at the back.

Torres took a knock early on and his struggles were made even more acute by a lack of support in midfield, where former Chelsea midfield man Nemanja Matic, who went to Benfica as part of the David Luiz deal, was impressive.

For all Benfica’s possession and superiority, it was their goalkeeper Artur who had to make the half’s outstanding save. The keeper, prone to occasional moments of eccentricity, did brilliantly to change direction and palm Lampard’s swerving shot to safety.

The pattern continued in the second half and the dangerous Cardozo thought he had made Benfica’s deserved breakthrough after 50 minutes, but his header from Gaitan’s cross was ruled out for offside.

Chelsea captain John Terry – unable to play because of injury – poses for photos with the Europa League trophy

Chelsea took the lead against the run of play just before the hour, but it was a moment of vintage Torres that provided it. He showed pace and body strength to escape the attentions of Ezequiel Garay and Luisao before rounding Artur to score from the tightest of angles.

The lead lasted only nine minutes. Benfica drew level from the spot after Cesar Azpilicueta handled Eduardo Salvio’s header, Cardozo scoring emphatically.

It required superb athleticism from Cech to prevent Cardozo putting Benfica in front with nine minutes left, the keeper at full stretch to turn his dipping 20-yard shot over the bar.

Lampard came even closer with only three minutes left when his 20-yard drive beat Artur but bounced back out to safety off the bar.

Chelsea had one last chance deep into stoppage time and Ivanovic produced a towering header to win the Europa League.