Just four days short of his 44th birthday, Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Brad Friedel announces he will finally put an end to his playing career at the end of the season.
The former American shot-stopper currently holds the record number of consecutive Premier League appearances at 310. An achievement he secured during his playing days with Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur.
Should Friedel feature for Spurs in their final two league fixtures, he will become the oldest player in Premier League history. The 43-year-old currently holds the record of Aston Villa's oldest ever player after featuring for the Midlands side against Manchester United at 39 years and 259 days. He also holds the same acolade at White Hart Lane, surpassing Jimmy Cantrell's near-80-year-old record in a fixture against his former club, Villa, on May 6th 2012.
The Ohio-born 'keeper is also only one of five goalkeepers to have ever scored a goal in the Premier League, lining up alongside Paul Robinson, Peter Schmeichel, Asmir Begovic and Tim Howard. But he now believes enough is enough. "There really is nothing like it [football] but my 44th birthday is here so I think it is a good time to call it a day," he said.
Friedel, who also has 82 caps for the USA over a 13 year international spell, now aims to complete his pro-coaching licence and will also focus on his media work whilst serving as a club ambassador at Tottenham.