Spurs seal double swoop

Tottenham have signed Carlo Cudicini from Chelsea and Pascal Chimbonda from Sunderland, Harry Redknapp has confirmed.

Chimbonda left White Hart Lane in the summer but failed to settle in the north-east and will now provide Spurs boss Redknapp with cover across his defence.

The 29-year-old Frenchman will not, however, be available for the home Barclays Premier League clash against Stoke on Tuesday evening.

“I’ve signed him and he’s coming here,” Redknapp said.

“The deal should have been done in the morning but it’s over-run the deadline for him to play against Stoke. It was done 15 minutes too late which was disappointing. Otherwise he would have been available.”

Cudicini, the 35-year-old goalkeeper, has been drafted in to compete with current number one Heurelho Gomes, who has been carrying a thigh strain.

The Italian had 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.

Cesar Sanchez’s departure to Valencia last week left Redknapp with only youngster Ben Alnwick as cover for Gomes.

Spurs have also confirmed the departure of Egypt midfielder Hossam Ghaly to Saudi Arabian side Nassr Saudi Club.

The 27-year-old upset fans when he threw his shirt to the ground after coming on as a substitute and then getting replaced.

Redknapp wanted to play him this season but changed his mind after fans abused the player as he prepared to come on.