Tottenham
goalkeeper Brad Friedel will retire at the end of the season following a career
which has spanned three decades.
The
43-year-old's time in the Premier League has included spells with Liverpool,
Blackburn and Aston Villa.
He joined
Tottenham in 2011, but has been back-up to Hugo Lloris since the Frenchman's
arrival the following year.
Tottenham's 43-year-old American goalkeeper Brad Friedel will retire at the end of the season
Friedel, pictured saving from Liverpool's Fernando Torres in 2009 also impressed at Aston Villa
Friedel
said on the Tottenham website: I'm incredibly proud of what I've achieved in my
career. When I first started the journey I never imagined it would be this
long, playing 23 seasons in total and representing some incredible clubs.'
Friedel,
who won 82 caps for the United States, will return to America become an
analyst, pundit and co-commentator for Fox Sports and will also be Tottenham's
club ambassador there.
Friedel has barely played this season and says he has signed on as a club ambassador for Spurs
He added:
'One thing I will miss is that day-to-day interaction with the staff and
players. There really is nothing like it but my 44th birthday is here so I
think it is a good time to call it a day.
'I've got
some wonderful opportunities in front of me working for Fox TV and I'm
completing my pro licence.
'I've
also signed on as a club ambassador for Spurs focusing on the USA. I've got a
great relationship with the staff and board, so I'll certainly do my bit to
help the club go further.
The stopper started to make a name himself in England while playing for Liverpool
'I've had
a tremendous time here and met a lot of great people along the way. This is a
wonderful football club and I feel honoured to have been a part of it for four
years.
'The
manager is great, while there is incredible talent in the changing room, both
young and old, and with time I see great things ahead.'
The Ohio-born goalkeeper also won 82 caps for the United States and shone at the World Cup in 2002
Friedel
holds the record for consecutive starts in the Barclays Premier League at 310,
set across his time at Blackburn, Villa and Spurs.
He also
declared bankruptcy in 2011 after his US football academy ran up debts
close to £5million.
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