Carlo Cudicini says that former teammates Brad Friedel and Robbie Keane played a big role in his move the Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy
The former AC Milan and Lazio man joined Los Galacticios from Tottenham Hotspur on a free transfer last month and admits the idea of playing in the MLS had always appealed to him after numerous pre-season tours to America.
"I have to say, in my mind, I always thought it would be a very good experience to come here since I started coming here in pre-season with Chelsea," the Italian said in his first chat with the media on Thursday.
"I love the atmosphere, I love the sport culture that you have here in the US, and so I would think that if I had opportunity to come here, I would have definitely taken it.
"So that's what happened. It happens it was in a moment where I wasn't that happy at Tottenham, so I think the two things was perfectly matching, so that's why I'm here."
The 39-year-old was apparently swayed by former team-mates Brad Friedel, who played two seasons with Columbus Crew before moving to the Premier League, and Robbie Keane, who joined the Galaxy from Spurs at the end of last season.
"With Brad, we were discussing results and discussing what was going on here (in the USA)," Cudicini said.
"It's a league that's growing, definitely, year after year. New players are coming, and the level is a decent level. Of course, it's a bit different. You have a few stadiums that have [artificial] turf, and that doesn't happen in Europe, so it will be a challenge, and I'm looking forward to it."
"I know Robbie since the Tottenham days, and he is a good friend, He helped me out in this transfer."
Cudicini was one of the best goalkeepers in Europe before injury and the arrival of Petr Cech at Chelsea seemingly derailed his career, having struggled to secure a first team spot wherever he has gone since then and a motorcycle accident in 2009 only compounded matters for the Italian.
"After the motorbike accident that I had, I was struggling to get back to fit," he said.
"It was a big setback in my career after the accident. It was difficult to come back, but now I feel I have the chance to play, and that's why I'm here."
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