Friedel: Delighted at transfer

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Brad Friedel has revealed it was an 'easy' decision for him to leave Blackburn Rovers for Aston Villa.

The veteran goalkeeper ended his eight-year stay at Ewood Park on Saturday, penning a three-year contract at Villa Park.

Friedel, 37, has praised the efficiency of his switch to Villa, and is now thoroughly looking forward to the beginning of a new chapter in his career.

"Once I had sat in the same room as Martin O'Neill and the Villa owner Randy Lerner it was an easy decision," said the American.

"Once I had come to the conclusion in my mind that I was prepared to leave Blackburn, where I had been for eight years, it was straightforward to sign a contract with Villa.

Guzan

"The professionalism they have and their ambitions to go forward were fantastic. The negotiations were not long or hard. They were straightforward and amicable.

"Villa Park is one of the grounds I always looked forward to playing at. It has a big club feel about it when you turn up at the ground and I am really looking forward to my first game."

Meanwhile, O'Neill will discover on Friday if the club can complete the signing of shot-stopper Brad Guzan when he has his application for a work permit considered by the Home Office.

O'Neill will be hopeful the American international's switch from Major Soccer League side Chivas USA will go through after failing to secure his signature back in January.