Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel has revealed how Brian Clough was the first manager to sign him for an English club.

The veteran American has played for the likes of Liverpool and Aston Villa in his long career.

"I first came to England in 1992," he told the Daily Mail. "I'd played for the US at the Olympics in Barcelona and Nottingham Forest signed me.

"Brian Clough was the manager, a young Roy Keane was there. As were players like Stuart Pearce, Nigel Clough, Mark Crossley, Scot Gemmill and Gary Charles.

"I signed a contract and I was there for a while but work permit problems prevented me from playing for them and in the end I had to go back to the States.

"It was the same when I signed for Newcastle United on loan. Kevin Keegan was manager. But again, because of work permit problems, I couldn't play."