Carlo Joins Spurs On A Free

Tottenham have today completed the signing of Italian goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini on a free transfer from Chelsea.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp stepped up his pursuit of a new keeper when his under-fire No.1 Heurelho Gomes was injured, and when veteran Spanish keeper Cesar Sanchez joined Valencia on Friday, Redknapp was forced to select Gomes as his back-up keeper to Ben Alnwick for Saturday's FA Cup defeat at Manchester United.

Carlo joined the Blues on loan in 1999 from Italian side Castel Di Sangro and signed a permanent deal a year later for £130,000. He was voted Chelsea Player of the Year in 2002, but has found his chances limited since Petr Cech's arrival in 2004. Cudicini's arrival will provide competition for Gomes, who has also been the subject of much criticism this season.

Carlo will be sorely missed at the Bridge where he gave long service and support to the other keepers, never moaning about his lack of first team opportunities and he thoroughly deserves his chance of first team football, having no trouble in becoming a permanent member of the Tottenham team.