Ashley Cole among the 8 released by LA Galaxy after the option of the contract was denied

Ashley Cole is one of eight players released by the LA Galaxy when the club announced its initial lineup for the 2019 Major League Soccer season.

Cole, 37, leaves the StubHub Center after three seasons – during which he played 83 appearances in the MLS – after the club declined the option of extending his contract.

The former left-back of Chelsea, Arsenal and England was the captain of the California franchise for the 2018 season, during which the team failed to qualify for the series, although the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic improved his results.

Ibrahimovic is one of 16 players that the Galaxy has confirmed that will appear on the list of 2019 in a statement released Monday.

Last week, a source told ESPN that Ibrahimovic had accepted an offer back in the former club of AC Milan.

Three other players – defenseman Dave Romney and midfielders Emmanuel Boateng and Chris Pontius – are all out of contract but are in negotiations for new deals.