Tottenham sign new keeper; Marseille target wants time to decide

Tottenham sign new keeper

Tottenham Hotspur have revealed that they have completed the signing of keeper Brad Friedel from Aston Villa.

The 40-year-old keeper received numerous offers after his contract with Aston Villa came to an end, but he eventually opted for Tottenham.

Liverpool and West Bromwich were among clubs interested in signing the United States keeper.

Friedel arrives to White Hart Lane following the three-year spell at Aston Villa, and he is expected to fight with Heurelho Gomes and Carlo Cudicini for the starting place.

Tottenham announced the capture on their official website, with manager Harry Redknapp delighted with the new signing.

“Brad is a top goalkeeper of real quality who has great experience,” Redknapp was quoted as saying.

“It is good to have three such experienced top goalkeepers at the Club in Gomes, Carlo and now Brad and it means we have competition for places particularly with the number of games we will hopefully face next year both domestically and in Europe as well.”

The experienced keeper holds the record for consecutive Premier League appearances, with the run stretching to 275 games.

The former USA international hasn’t missed a Premier League game in more than seven years.

Marseille target wants time to decide

Lorient midfielder Morgan Amalfitano admits he needs time to decide his future amidst heavy interest from Marseille.

The Ligue 1 star has already decided to leave Lorient when his contract expires at the end of the month, but he doesn’t want to rush into anything.

French giants Marseille see Amalfitano as an ideal candidate to replace wantaway playmaker Lucho Gonzalez and they have already made him an offer.

The 26-year-old had a dinner with Marseille chiefs Jose Anigo and Antoine Veyrat on Monday, but has asked for some time to make his decision.

“It does me no good to decide on a whim,” Amalfitano told La Provence.

“Anyway, this is not the way I act. I am aware what I am able to do, but I make sure not to cut any corners.

”My contract with Lorient is expiring at the end of the season, it has been six months since I have operated with the appropriate perspective regarding my future.

“I always take the time to make my choices and that is extremely important.

The highly rated midfielder admits he is tempted by the Marseille prospect.

“OM are an interesting opportunity. That is the biggest club in France. If I were to stay in France, Marseille are where I would want to go.

”This is the club that suits me. Yes, I would have a good time there.”

Schalke closing in on Lehman

Bundesliga side Schalke are on the verge of signing veteran keeper Jens Lehman, according to Stuttgarter Zeitung.

Shortly after keeper Manuel Neuer made a switch to Bayern, Schalke chiefs completed the signing of Ralf Fahrmann, who returned to the club following a two-year spell at Eintracht Frankfurt.

The 22-year-old shot stopper has been signed as a replacement for Manuel Neuer, but Schalke are now set to sign another goalkeeper.

The Bundesliga side are reportedly close to signing Jens Lehman from Arsenal on a one-year deal, which would see the veteran keeper return to the club where he started his professional career.

The 41-year-old has spent 11 years in Gelsenkirchen before moving to Milan and he could now finish his career where it all started for him.

Lehman is expected to act as a tutor for youngster Fahrmann and to step in when needed, as well as to help relieve the pressure on the young keeper.

The deal is reportedly very close to completion and it could be officially announced in the coming days.

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