Eden Hazard has credited Joe Cole with convincing him to join Chelsea from Lille six years ago.
Cole, who announced his retirement on Tuesday, spent the 2011-12 season on loan with the Ligue 1 club, alongside Hazard.
That campaign was the last the Belgian spent in France before moving to Stamford Bridge, and he says Cole was the reason behind the transfer.
Hazard told Chelsea's Twitter account: "I spoke to him before I signed for Chelsea. Every day, seriously, he was telling me that Chelsea was the best club for me.
"He said Chelsea was a big club where you can win trophies every season. For that reason I signed, so thank you, Joe Cole!"
Cole ended his 20-year playing career having played over 700 games and scored over 100 goals.
He spent seven years at Chelsea after joining from West Ham United, winning three Premier League titles and two FA Cups, before moving on to the likes of Liverpool, Lille and Tampa Bay Rowdies.