Brad Friedel announces retirement, calls time on incredible career

U.S. national team legend Brad Friedel is finally hanging up his gloves.

On Thursday Friedel, 43, announced his decision to retire at the end of the current Premier League season as he brings his illustrious playing days to an end.

[ RELATED: Friedel talks MLS, USMNT and Spurs ]

The Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper has spent the past 17 years in England with Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and Spurs and played in three World Cups for the U.S. national team, as well as wining a League Cup with Blackburn and competing in Europe, plus brief stints in Turkey, Denmark and with the Columbus Crew of MLS.

As you can gather, he’s done a lot during his 23-year career. Speaking to Spurs’ official club website about his decision to retire, Friedel explained why now is the perfect time to move on to his next adventure.

“I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve achieved in my career,” Friedel said. “When I first started the journey I never imagined it would be this long, playing 23 seasons in total and representing some incredible clubs. 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. 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.”

Friedel’s longevity has been incredible as he still holds the PL’s record for the most consecutive appearances in league history (310) from 2004-2012. For fans of the USMNT, most will remember when Friedel guarded the net in the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea when the U.S. reached the quarterfinal stage and he became the first goalkeeper since 1974 to save two PKs in the same World Cup tournament. His legendary status has remained throughout his years in the PL and the UCLA product will now continue to be a voice of the game in the U.S. through his work with Fox Sports. His legacy will remain, as one of the finest players that the U.S. has ever produced retires.

For more on Friedel’s incredible career, I sat down with the Ohio native for an in-depth chat over at NBC SportsWorld just a few months ago. Check out what Friedel had to say about his amazing career.

Now, with just two games left in Spurs’ season, will Friedel get one final run-out in the remaining two matches to become the oldest player in PL history?

Follow @JPW_NBCSports