Galaxy acquire Carlo Cudicini

Jan 07, 2013 1253

Goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini looks set for a fresh start in America after Tottenham announced they have reached an agreement to sell the goalkeeper to the Los Angeles Galaxy.

The Galaxy say the 39-year-old Cudicini's move to Major League Soccer has been secured "pending the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and work visa as well as Cudicini passing his medical examination."

"We are delighted to be able to add Carlo Cudicini to our roster," Galaxy coach/general manager Bruce Arena said, according to the team's website. "Carlo is an experienced and accomplished goalkeeper who we believe will be a great addition to our team and our defensive unit."

Cudicini moved to White Hart Lane in 2009 but has found his opportunities limited due to the presence of Heurelho Gomes and the arrivals of Brad Friedel and Hugo Lloris.

The Italian is perhaps now fourth choice in manager Andre Villas-Boas' plans so it is perhaps no surprise the north London club were looking to offload.

Cudicini began his professional career with AC Milan in 1992 and had a brief spell at Lazio before being plucked from obscurity in 2000 by Chelsea, who signed him from Italian minnows Castel di Sangro.

It was at Stamford Bridge where he excelled after ousting Mark Bosnich and Ed de Goey as Chelsea's regular goalkeeper.

He was part of the squads that claimed several domestic honors under Jose Mourinho although he found himself increasingly marginalized when the Blues signed Petr Cech in 2004.

After making 142 appearances for Chelsea in nine years, he made the switch to Tottenham but he once more struggled to claim a regular starting berth.

Cudicini will now link up with former Tottenham teammate Robbie Keane in Los Angeles, who triumphed in the MLS Cup earlier this month with a 3-1 win over the Houston Dynamo in the final in David Beckham's last match for the Galaxy.

Information from Press Association Sport and The Associated Press was used in this report.

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