The Galaxy announced the signing of 39 year old Premier League goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini. Cudicini will join the Galaxy from Tottenham.
The Galaxy have been in negotiations with starter Josh Saunders to return to the club on a new contract, but the signing of Cudicini along with the selection of William Hesmer in the MLS Re-Entry draft signals their intent to move on in 2013 without their starting goalkeeper from the past year and a half.
“We are delighted to be able to add Carlo Cudicini to our roster,” Galaxy head coach and general manager Bruce Arena said. “Carlo is an experienced and accomplished goalkeeper who we believe will be a great addition to our team and our defensive unit.”
Cudicini has spent the last 12 years in the premier league playing for Chelsea and Tottenham. He was Chelsea’s player of the year in 2002 and named the top goalkeeper in the Premeir League in 2003. However, before the 2004-05 season Chelsea signed Petr Cech, ending his time as a full-time starter. Cudicini moved to Tottenham in 2009 and has made 19 appearances for the club in the past three seasons. His only action since the 2011 season was in the Europa League and friendlies. He was the goalkeeper in the club’s 1-1 draw against the Galaxy over the summer.
Cudicini had become marginalized at Tottenham due to the additions of American Brad Friedel and French National team goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. The team also has former starter Heurelho Gomes on their roster.
Cudicini began his career with AC Milan in 1992. He will bring great experience to the Galaxy defense. The Galaxy are loading up on goalkeepers. They resigned Brian Perk to a new contract and still have Brian Rowe under contract. The team is still working on a deal for Will Hesmer. It is unclear who will be the starter once the season kicks off but it figures to be a pretty good competition, with Hesmer, Perk, and Cudicini all capable of winning the job.
Even if Cudicni does not win the starting job his experience in the Premier League could be invaluable in helping young goalkeepers Perk and Rowe develop.
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