American goalkeeper Brad Friedel is set to sign a two-year deal with Tottenham as the London club look to bolster their last line of defence following Heurelho Gomes’ mitigated season as number one.
At 40 years old Friedel is in the twilight of his career but he is expected to provide competition to Brazilian Gomes, who came under fire after committing a number of costly errors during the season. Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp said: “Brad is a top goalkeeper of real quality who has great experience.
“It is good to have three such experienced top goalkeepers at the club in Gomes, Carlo (Cudicini) and now Brad and it means we have competition for places particularly with the number of games we will hopefully face next year both domestically and in Europe as well.”
Italian goalkeeper Cudicini last month signed a contract extension through to the end of next season, while Gomes has been linked with a return to old club PSV Eindhoven. Gomes has made a number of high-profile mistakes during his time with Spurs.
He fumbled a shot from Cristiano Ronaldo in a Champions League quarter-final defeat to Real Madrid at White Hart Lane in April and in the same month allowed a Frank Lampard shot to squirm away from him, although replays showed the goal should not have been awarded to Chelsea because Gomes was able to retrieve the ball before it crossed the line.
