Mark Schwarzer Bio Send To Friend  

Fulham completed the signing of Mark Schwarzer in May 2008, agreeing a two-year deal for the commanding Australian keeper after he turned down a similar deal to stay with Middlesbrough.

Schwarzer, an excellent shot-stopper and regarded as a reliable pair of hands at Premeir League level, claimed to have been approached by both Bayern Munich and Juventus but opted for Fulham as neither of the two European giants could guarantee him first team football.

In his 11 years at Middlesbrough he made 367 appearances and picked up a Carling Cup winners medal after triumph over Bolton Wanders in the 2003/04 season.

Schwarzer started his career with Australian outfit Marconi Stallions, where Christian Vieri was a team mate. After winning a league title he moved to Germany joining Dynamo Dresden and then to Kaiserslautern.

He signed for Bradford City in November 1996, and is felt to be one of the best keepers the Bantams ever had despite joining Middlesbrough just four months later in 1997 for £1.5million.

His his debut came in a 2-0 League Cup win at Stockport County, and made his Premiership bow ten days later in a 3-1 loss at Sheffield Wednesday.

Arguably Schwarzer most important save of his Boro career came in the last match of the 2004/ 05 season when he saved a stoppage time penalty from Manchester City's Robbie Fowler which ensured a 1-1 draw which was enough to put Boro into the following season's UEFA Cup.

The Australian retired from international football after growing tired of being understudy to Mark Bosnich, but after Bosnich's personal problems he returned to action with the Socceroos and was instrumental in Australia's qualification for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and subsequently vowed to help guide the Aussies to the 2010 tournament.