Cudicini joins Spurs on free transfer

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

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp has signed the 35-year-old to compete with current number one Heurelho Gomes, who has been the subject of much criticism this season.

The Italian has been at Chelsea since 1999 and was first-choice goalkeeper at the club until the arrival of Petr Cech in 2004.

Cudicini originally signed for Chelsea on a year-long loan from Castel di Sangro in the summer of 1999 and made his move permanent the following summer for £160,000.

He was named the Blues’ player of the year in 2002 and has helped the club win two Premier League titles, two FA Cups and two League cups.

Spurs’ poor defensive record has seen them plummet to 16th in the league. But neither Ben Alnwick nor Cesar Sanchez (released by the club last week) has been able to dislodge the error-prone Gomes, who signed for £7m from PSV in the summer.

The signing, announced by Chelsea, was confirmed by Spurs manager Harry Redknapp at today’s press conference.