Blackburn Rovers signed goalkeeper Paul Robinson from Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur for 3.5 million pounds ($6.95 million) yesterday.

The 28-year-old, who has 41 England caps but has fallen out of favour with club and country, becomes manager Paul Ince's first signing since he took over from Mark Hughes a month ago.

Robinson agreed a five-year contract with Blackburn, the club said.

Spurs had already signed PSV Eindhoven's Brazilian keeper Heurelho Gomes as their first-choice for next season. On Friday, Blackburn gave Aston Villa the go-ahead to approach 37-year-old goalkeeper Brad Friedel about a possible transfer.

Villa have already agreed to sign fellow US keeper Brad Guzan who has a work permit hearing this week.

The 23-year-old has been lined up to replace Scott Carson, who was on loan from Liverpool and has since been sold to promoted West Bromwich Albion by the Merseyside club, and Thomas Sorensen, who Villa released at the end of last season.

Robinson spent four seasons at Tottenham after joining the north London club from Leeds United for one million pounds, making 175 appearances and scoring once with a 65-metre free-kick against Watford in a league game two seasons ago.

He was England's no. 1 at the 2006 World Cup in Germany but lost his place to Carson in the final Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia last year and was also demoted at club level. David James has since regained the England keeper's shirt.

He was restored to the squad by new manager Fabio Capello for the friendly with France in Paris in March but was then left out of a 30-man party for the friendlies against the United States and Trinidad & Tobago in May.

Robinson played in Tottenham's League Cup final win over Chelsea after winning his place back from Radek Cerny.