On December 6, 2025, Ashley Cole, the legendary left-back of Chelsea Football Club and Arsenal Football Club, exchanged vows with Italian model Sharon Canu in a private, €500,000 wedding ceremony at a seaside villa near Rome. The event, attended by just 50 close friends and family, marked Cole’s second marriage—and perhaps his most intentional one. No paparazzi. No public spectacle. Just white peonies, Krug champagne, and a first dance to Ed Sheeran under Roman stars.
A Love Story Rooted in Rome
Their romance began in July 2014, when Cole, then on loan from Chelsea to AS Roma, crossed paths with Canu during Rome Fashion Week. She was modeling for Fendi; he was chasing redemption after a turbulent spell at Arsenal. They didn’t make headlines then. But over coffee at a Trastevere café, something quieter took root. Two years of long-distance followed—London to Rome, texts at 3 a.m., visits during international breaks—until Canu moved to England in September 2016. By 2018, they’d settled into a £10 million Surrey mansion, away from the glare of football’s spotlight.
"They’ve always been private," said an insider familiar with the couple. "Not because they’re hiding, but because they’ve seen how fame can twist love. This isn’t a show. It’s a homecoming."
The Wedding: Precision, Privacy, and Passion
The ceremony, held at an undisclosed coastal property near Rome, opened with a Catholic mass led by Father Marco Rossi of Santa Maria in Trastevere Basilica. Cole wore a tailored black suit; Canu, a custom off-the-shoulder gown with lace detailing and a veil woven with Tuscan garden roses. The floral arrangements—1,200 white peonies and 800 roses—were flown in from Florence. Catering was handled by Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck, who served a seven-course feast: caviar, truffle tagliatelle, and dry-aged Chianina beef, each course paired with wine from Canu’s parents’ vineyard in Castelli Romani.
The reception unfolded in the manicured gardens of Villa Borghese. Guests sipped 120 bottles of 2015 Krug Clos d’Ambonnay—worth €36,000—while Cole’s former teammates Thierry Henry, Cesc Fàbregas, and Frank Lampard toasted quietly. Even Guido Fienga, CEO of AS Roma, was there, a nod to the city that brought them together.
Security was tight. Close Protection Services Ltd, a London-based firm, was hired for €25,000. Every guest signed an NDA. No phones were allowed during the ceremony. The professional photographers? Pre-approved. The footage? For the couple alone.
A Second Chance at Forever
Cole’s first marriage, to British TV presenter Cheryl Tweedy, ended in 2010 amid media frenzy and personal turmoil. In a 2023 interview with The Guardian, he reflected: "I was a young, angry kid. Now I understand—life isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up. Being present. Being a better father." That shift is evident now. He doesn’t tweet daily. He doesn’t chase trends. He chose this moment—quiet, intentional, deeply personal.
Canu, 34, has never sought fame. Her Instagram, which now features three wedding photos with the caption "Mrs. Cole ✨ Forever and ever," has over 287,000 likes in 24 hours—not because she asked for it, but because people feel the authenticity. Cole’s own X (Twitter) post, a 30-second video of their first dance, simply read: "Best night of my life #ColeWedding." No hashtags for brands. No tags for media. Just truth.
What Comes Next?
The couple remained in Rome through December 10, 2025, staying at the Rocco Forte Hotel de la Ville while visiting Canu’s parents, Giovanni and Maria Canu, who own a vineyard in the hills southeast of the capital. Now, they’ve returned to Surrey. No plans for a public honeymoon. No interviews lined up. Just quiet mornings, family dinners, and the slow rhythm of a life they’ve built away from stadiums and headlines.
What’s remarkable isn’t the €500,000 price tag or the Michelin chef or the Krug. It’s that in an era of performative love, Ashley Cole and Sharon Canu chose intimacy over exposure. They didn’t need the world to witness their vows. They just needed each other—and the people who’ve known them longest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Ashley Cole choose Rome for his wedding?
Rome is where Cole and Sharon Canu first met in 2014 during his loan spell at AS Roma. It’s also where her family lives, including her parents, who own a vineyard in Castelli Romani. Choosing Rome wasn’t just romantic—it was symbolic, marking the origin of their relationship and honoring her roots. The Catholic ceremony at Santa Maria in Trastevere added personal and cultural significance.
How did Cole and Canu meet?
They met in July 2014 during Rome Fashion Week, when Canu was modeling for Fendi and Cole was playing on loan for AS Roma. Their connection began over coffee, away from the spotlight. Unlike many celebrity romances, theirs grew slowly—through long-distance texts, visits during football breaks, and mutual respect for privacy. Their GQ Italia interview in 2020 confirmed this quiet, enduring bond.
Who attended the wedding, and why were they significant?
Attendees included former teammates Thierry Henry, Cesc Fàbregas, and Frank Lampard—men who shared locker rooms and legends with Cole. AS Roma CEO Guido Fienga’s presence honored the club that connected them. These weren’t just famous faces; they were witnesses to Cole’s career and personal growth. The guest list was small, curated, and deeply meaningful—no influencers, no media, no strangers.
How does this wedding reflect Cole’s personal evolution?
After his highly publicized 2010 divorce from Cheryl Tweedy, Cole retreated from the spotlight. His 2023 Guardian statement revealed maturity: "I learned from it. It made me a better person." This wedding—private, intentional, and free of media manipulation—shows that evolution. He’s not hiding. He’s choosing. And that’s more powerful than any red carpet.
What was the cost of the wedding, and what did it include?
The wedding cost approximately €500,000, covering venue rental at a private seaside villa, luxury accommodations at Hotel de la Ville for guests, catering by Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck, and 2,000 premium flowers from Tuscany. The 120 bottles of 2015 Krug Clos d’Ambonnay alone cost €36,000. Security, photography, and NDA enforcement added another €50,000. Yet, the real value was in the exclusivity—no leaks, no paparazzi, no noise.
Will Ashley Cole return to football in any official capacity?
There’s no indication Cole plans to return to coaching or broadcasting. At 42, he’s focused on family and privacy. He’s occasionally involved in youth football initiatives in Surrey but has declined high-profile media roles. His post-retirement life appears to center on being a father, a husband, and a man who’s learned to value quiet over noise. This wedding wasn’t a finale—it was a new beginning, deliberately unpublicized.
