Spurs sign Cudicini for free
Tottenham Hotspur sign Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini on free transfer
Also In The News
|
Swansea City will host Fulham in the fifth round of the FA Cup after defeating holders Portsmouth. |  |
Monday, 26, Jan 2009 11:20
Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed the signing of Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini on a free transfer.
The Italian stopper arrives at White Hart Lane to provide competition for nominal number one Heurelho Gomes, whose erratic displays have belied the £7 million former boss Juande Ramos paid for him in the summer.
"We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with Chelsea for the transfer of Carlo Cudicini to the club," a Spurs statement said.
Cudicini, 35, has spent the last ten years at Stamford Bridge and is only behind Peter Bonetti in Chelsea goalkeepers' all-time list of cleansheets kept.
Voted the club's player of the year in 2002, Cudicini dislodged Ed De Goey in the Chelsea goal before losing his own number one jersey to Petr Cech in 2004.
Since then the former AC Milan and Lazio goalie has been the perfect goalkeeping understudy, although injuries cruelly robbed him of the chance to step into Cech's shoes when the Czech keeper was himself injured.
"Chelsea can confirm Carlo Cudicini has signed for Tottenham Hotspur on a free transfer," a Blues statement said.
"The club would like to take this opportunity to thank Carlo for his years of service and wish him well."
Although the transfer increases Harry Redknapp's goalkeeping options it leaves Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari with just Henrique Hilario as back-up to Cech.
Chelsea have now lost Cudicini and left-back Wayne Bridge in the January transfer window, while no players have arrived.