Schwarzer signs for Blues

Last updated : 09 July 2013 By Paul Lagan

The signing of signing of Mark Schwarzer on a free transfer this evening must have been a huge relief to Jose Mourinho.

Having struggled and then given up on signing John Ruddy from Norwich, Chelsea could not believe their luck when the Australian became available on a free transfer, and to be honest he could not believe his luck at jointing the Blues.

The 40-year-old has put pen to paper on a one-year deal which should give the Blues time to decide if youngster Jamel Blackman has what it takes to become the back-up to Peter Cech in the following season.

With Cech still the undisputed number one goalkeeper at Stamford Bridge, it was decided to extend the loan arrangement of Belgium stopper Thibaut Courtois.

Schwarzer said of his arrival from neighbour Fulham: "Chelsea is a phenomenal club. It's one of the biggest and best clubs in the world, and it's an honour to sign for Chelsea. I didn't take much convincing to come here.

"There were other clubs interested in me but once I knew Chelsea was interested it was very much the case that I wanted to try and make it happen. I'm very fortunate and delighted.

"I live closer to here than my previous club. There were a lot of things that ticked all the boxes, but most of all Chelsea Football Club is an enormous club and I think a club that can re-establish itself as the best club in the country. It has an unbelievable manager and an unbelievable squad of players and it's very exciting.

He admits that he has spoken to Mourinho and hopes to be part of the Australia side in next summer's World Cup.

"I still have a lot of aspirations to play for my country. I want to play another World Cup, we've just qualified for Brazil and I want to continue to play at the highest level for as long as possible. Obviously Petr is a fantastic goalkeeper and the number one goalkeeper at Chelsea but I am here to help push him along, he will hopefully push me along and help the younger keepers at the club as well. I'm very excited of the challenges ahead."