Former American international goalkeeper Brad Friedel completed his move from Blackburn to Aston Villa in what is likely to be the long stop in the 37-year-old’s distinguished club career.  After eight seasons with the Rovers, Friedel moves from Ewood Park for £2.5 million, completing a transfer the goalie had requested last week.   After Blackburn acquired former England international Paul Robinson from Tottenham, Friedel was cleared by new manager Paul Ince for the move to Villa Park.   The move was completed today after Friedel and Aston Villa agreed on a three-year deal.

Aston Villa finished sixth last season, one spot above Blackburn, and had been looking all summer for a replacement for Scott Carson, who moved to West Bromwich Albion after being returned to Liverpool after his Villa loan expired.  Friedel became available recently when he requested to move from Ewood Park in the wake of former manager Mark Hughes’s departure for Manchester City, where Friedel had also been removed to move.  Whereas City’s Joe Hart would have provided competition for the starting spot at City, Friedel will be assumed the starter for Martin O’Neill’s side.

Friedel will serve in front of fellow American Brad Guzan, provided the recently-acquired former Chivas USA star secures his work permit.

With Aston Villa’s Intertoto Cup victory today over Danish side Odense, Friedel one step closer to playing European soccer again, with Villa now through to second-round UEFA Cup qualifying.  Friedel had played in the UEFA Cup in the last two seasons with Blackburn, though he stood to be left out this season after Blackburn’s seventh place finish failed to qualify them for continental soccer.

Friedel leaves Rovers having made 356 career appearances with the club, including playing in every Premier League match for the club over the last four seasons.  Aston Villa is Friedel’s third Premiership side, having played for Liverpool for three seasons before shifting to Ewood Park.

Aston Villa have successfully bid for Blackburn goalkeeper and former U.S. international Brad Friedel.  Villa will pay the Rovers £2 million for the 37-year-old goaltender, who made 346 appearances in all competitions for Blackburn over the last seven seasons.  Should he agree to terms with Villa, Friedel will immediately step-in as the starting goaltender for Martin O’Neill, serving as a mentor for fellow American Brad Guzan.

Friedel is coming off a stellar year for Blackburn which saw him play a major role in the club’s seventh place finish.  He appeared in all forty-seven of Blackburn’s  matches last season, playing every minute.  Along with striker Roque Santa Cruz and midfielder David Bentley, Friedel formed the core of a team that finished just outside of qualification for European soccer.

Friedel has had a turmoltuous offseason after Mark Hughes left for Manchester City and was replaced by Paul Ince.  Two weeks ago, rumors speculated that Ince sought to replace Friedel.  Ince later affirmed his desire to keep the veteran goalkeeper.  Friedel later requested to move to Villa.  At Villa Park, Friedel would assume the starting position occupied last season by Scott Carson, who will be at West Brom this season.

In addition to being out of European football, Blackburn faces a potential rebuilding, with transfers of Santa Cruz and Bentley being speculated.  This along with a coaching change makes the move of the veteran goalkeeper likely.  Friedel would leave Ewood Park having established himself as one of the best keepers in club history.

Aston Villa remains alive for European football through the Intertoto Cup.

Suggest viewing will be a weekly post where I will share all the most interesting video tidbits from the following week, this weeks picks:

Kasey Keller Interview on Sky Sport’s Goals On Sunday program: Here

Brad Friedel Interview on Sky Sports’s Goals On Sunday program:Here

Cesc Fabregas lights himself on fire for Nike Ad:Here

Hope you enjoy this weeks picks, more to come next week.
Have a great soccer related video? email me at trevor@americansoccerreader.com with “Suggested Viewing” in the subject