Villarreal have signed veteran goalkeeper Cesar Sanchez on a one-year deal.

The 39-year-old's contract with Valencia was due to expire at the end of the month and he has joined the Yellow Submarine on a free transfer.

A statement on the club's official website read: "Villarreal and goalkeeper Cesar Sanchez have reached an agreement for the player to join on a free transfer. He will play under coach Juan Carlos Garrido for the 2011/12 season."

Cesar started 15 games for Valencia last season and made his top-flight debut for Real Valladolid back in the 1993/94 season, spending seven seasons with the Castilian club before moving on to Real Madrid, where he served as a back-up goalkeeper.

He moved to Real Zaragoza in 2005 before being signed by Juande Ramos at Tottenham Hotspur for the 2008/09 season.

He made one appearance for Spurs before returning to Spain with Valencia, whose decision to sign Brazilian goalkeeper Diego Alves from Almeria appears to have made Cesar surplus to requirements at the Mestalla.