A chance to revive his football playing career at the ripe old age of 42 convinced goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to swap Premier League leaders Chelsea for last-placed Leicester City.
Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer in action for Chelsea. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Socceroos veteran officially completed the move on Tuesday, signing an 18-month contract that could lead to him becoming the oldest player in Premier League history.
Having warmed the bench for much of the past two seasons at Chelsea under Jose Mourinho, Schwarzer appears set to go straight into the Leicester first team with first-choice goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel out injured with a broken foot.
Schwarzer said the chance to link up with Leicester manager and former Middlesbrough teammate Nigel Pearson was key to the move but the biggest incentive was the realistic prospect of adding to his 508 Premier League appearances.
"At Chelsea over the last 18 months I didn't play a lot of football, which I kind of knew would be the case," Schwarzer said.
"This last six months has probably been the toughest part, where I haven't been (in the squad) at all at times."
"So the opportunity to be around the boys and hopefully play some games is something that was very enticing for me.
Schwarzer already holds the record for most Premier League appearances by a foreigner and sits equal seventh on the all-time appearances list.
Leicester are currently bottom of the table, four points from safety, but Schwarzer is confident they can survive the cut.
"As soon as I arrived I got a great buzz and a great feel about the club," he said.
Mourinho publicly paid tribute to Schwarzer in announcing his departure from Chelsea last week, hailing him as an "amazing guy" and a consummate professional.
