Former Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini has joined the coaching staff for the Ireland Under-21s.

Manager Noel King has recruited the Italian ahead of Thursday's European Championships Qualifier against Andorra.

"His experience will be a great help to us. It won’t be just goalkeeping – we’ll include him as we do with all our staff in the preparation. We’ll value his views and hopefully that’ll add strength to us," said King.

The 41-year-old started his career at Milan, but is most well-known for a nine-year spell at Chelsea from 2000. 

Cudicini made over 140 appearances for the Blues, but was second choice to Petr Cech during the second half of his time at Stamford Bridge, before moving to Tottenham.