Veteran keeper Brad Friedel to retire

London: Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Brad Friedel is to retire at the end of the season, bringing down the curtain on a career spanning three decades, the English Premier League club announced Thursday.

The 43-year-old has played for several other English top-flight clubs, including Blackburn Rovers, Liverpool and Aston Villa.

Friedel, capped 82 times by the United States, joined north London club Tottenham in 2011 but has been back-up to Hugo Lloris since the Frenchman arrived at White Hart Lane the following year.

"I`m incredibly proud of what I`ve achieved in my career," said Friedel in a club statement.

"When I first started the journey I never imagined it would be this long, playing 23 seasons in total and representing some incredible clubs," added the veteran short-stopper, who is returning to the United States to become a member of the Fox Sports television channel`s football commentary team. 

Friedel will also be Spurs`s `ambassador` in America and he intends to complete his pro licence coaching qualification as well. 

"One thing I will miss is that day-to-day interaction with the staff and players. There really is nothing like it but my 44th birthday is here so I think it is a good time to call it a day," said Friedel.

"I`ve got some wonderful opportunities in front of me working for Fox TV and I`m completing my pro licence.

"I`ve also signed on as a club ambassador for Spurs focusing on the USA. I`ve got a great relationship with the staff and board, so I`ll certainly do my bit to help the club go further.

"I`ve had a tremendous time here and met a lot of great people along the way. This is a wonderful football club and I feel honoured to have been a part of it for four years," added Friedel, who holds the record for most consecutive Premier League starts -- 310 -- set during his time at Blackburn, Villa and Spurs.