BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) -Birmingham signed former England striker Andy Cole on loan Wednesday from Portsmouth.
Cole, the second highest career scorer in the Premier League with 188 goals, was a teammate of Birmingham manager Steve Bruce when they played at Manchester United.
Birmingham is in second place in the League Championship - one level below the Premier League - and will have Cole until the end of the season.
"We are absolutely delighted to bring Andy in for our Championship run because he is an exceptional player with a phenomenal goalscoring record," Bruce said. "We feel that his experience will prove to be very beneficial to the team, particularly as we have so many young players."
The 35-year-old striker started his career at Newcastle in 1993 before moving to Manchester United in 1995, where he helped the team win the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in 1999.
Cole has also played for Blackburn, Fulham and Manchester City.
"Despite his age he has always looked after himself, which is why he is still playing at the highest level of the game," Bruce said.
