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Friedel signs one-year extension with Tottenham

Goalkeeper Brad Friedel of Tottenham Hotspur

Photo by Ben Queenborough/ISI Photos

By RYAN TOLMICH

After 20 seasons and 660 career games, Brad Friedel still has a little soccer left in him.

The 43-year-old goalkeeper has signed a one-year extension with Tottenham, the club announced Monday. His new deal includes an off-the-field role as a club ambassador with a focus on the United States.

“Our goalkeeper’s Ambassadorial role will have a wide-ranging remit that will include greater involvement in our Global Coaching program,” said the club in a statement, “and engaging with our 30 Supporters Clubs from across North America as we continue to increase our global presence and bring our international fanbase closer to the Club.”

Friedel has spent the last 17 years of his career in England after previously plying his trade in Denmark, Turkey and the United States. The 43-year-old holds the Premier League record for most consecutive appearances with 310, a feat which came during his time with Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and Tottenham.

Friedel, who made six appearances for Tottenham last season, was capped 82 times by the U.S. Men’s National Team prior to retiring from the international game in 2005.

What do you think of Friedel’s new deal? Excited to see him play one more year? What do you expect of him with his new ambassador role?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. He could come home and finally contribute to the domestic scene. But no. Instead he chooses to PIMP an English club! For real, his job is to turn attention away from the MLS and get people to buy Tottenham gear.

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    • Seriously…its sad because he has a great resume but I could hardly tell you a thing about him without going to wikipedia first. A great career that is largely invisible from the average american fan.

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  2. definitely retired too soon from the USMNT but you gotta respect his decision. He was a beast in 2002 and he wanted to give Keller and Howard their shot (although you could argue that Keller got his shot in 98 after getting shafted for Meola in 94). I hope Howard does the same thing after this World Cup. Guzan deserves a chance to start for the ’18 cycle.

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    • Why would it matter what Howard decides? If Guzan is the better keeper, then he will start. Tim Howard is playing the best in his life right now, and if that somehow continues over the next 3-4 years, I’m fine with a 39 year old keeper starting at the WC. I doubt that happens though. Guzan is a fantastic keeper, and we are lucky to have such high caliber keepers for decades.

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      • Both are very good keepers.. But if they are close in skill, like they are now, you will always go with the most experienced keeper. Same thing happened with Keller and Howard. It’s not like the next best goalkeeper behind Howard is some scrub and we’d fall apart without him. I personally prefer Guzan. Both are great shot stoppers but Guzan is more aggressive on crosses. Howard often is hesitant.

    • Fiedel didn’t retire to make room tor Keller. ..he beat out Keller for the starting gk for 2002. Keller was the starter before Friedel; in fact Keller played 2 games in 1998.

      Friedel almost quit the usmnt before 2002 because he wasn’t playing.

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    • When a club reups a long term player for a season and makes you ambassador that doesn’t sound like they’re encouraging you towards the market. Sounds like Houston transitioning Ching into the front office.

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  3. Club Ambassador role is cool and all but it’s nothing compared to having a pub named in your honor a la McBride at Craven Cottage. Just saying……….. Seriously though, great news to hear. Brad is class guy — always has been. He may sound a little English but there is no doubt he’s an American homer that has always stuck up and promoted his countrymen in England. One day when he finally decides to hang up the boots he will make a fantastic manager. I think he’s headed in that direction.

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  4. I’m curious as to why he was never at a big club during his prime. He spent a few seasons at liverpool (but England needed David James performing) so he had to warm the bench 🙁 oh and he was at 1 of those big Turkish clubs.

    whats holding up Sean Johnson and Bill Hamid? surely they should be ready for Europe right?

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    • I don’t think either has really developed the way we were hoping. Then again, they’re both pretty young by goalkeeping standards.

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  5. WAY to go. I believe this pretty much signals that Hugo Lloris is leaving Spurs and they want a solid no 2 in case their incoming no.1 needs time to adapt or becomes a total FLOP.

    He is a Legend. where do u guys rank him. Top 10 GK’s in PL history? Obviously Schmeichel, Cech, Van der Sar, Reina, Seaman are top 5. what about the rest? Does Friedel finish above Howard?

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  6. Congrats to him…he’s probably almost like a player coach for spurs. Wonder if he’ll be the #2 or #3 there this year?

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