LONDON: Goalkeeper Brad Friedel has agreed to join Tottenham Hotspur from Aston Villa, the Premier League clubs said on Friday.

The 40-year-old former United States international will compete with Heurelho Gomes for the number one spot at the north London club. Spurs did not disclose details of the length of the deal or transfer fee.

“Brad is a top goalkeeper of real quality who has great experience,” manager Harry Redknapp said on the club website (www.tottenhamhotspur.com).

“It is good to have three such experienced top goalkeepers at the club in Gomes, Carlo (Cudicini) 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.”

Spurs finished fifth in the Premier League this season, qualifying for the Europa League.

Friedel is one of the league's most experienced keepers, having made 356 appearances for Blackburn Rovers, even scoring once at Charlton Athletic in February 2004, and also holds the record for most consecutive Premier League appearances with 275.

Villa confirmed the move on their website (www.avfc.co.uk) with chief executive Paul Faulkner saying: “I would like to thank Brad for the terrific contribution he has made at Aston Villa in his three seasons here.”

Gomes was in shaky form towards the end of the season, making several blunders as Spurs failed to repeat last year's feat of qualifying for Champions League football.