Veteran goalkeeper discusses extension to Craven Cottage contract.
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Veteran Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has opened talks with the Craven Cottage club over an extension to his current contract which expires at the end of the season.
The 40-year-old Australian international has shown no signs of his career coming to an end this season with the number one jersey at Fulham firmly in his grasp despite entering the fifth decade of his life and the 23rd year of his career.
Schwarzer has beaten off a challenge from young England goalkeeper David Stockdale, who has been loan out to Championship side Hull City for the remainder of the season, and been a firm fixture in the Fulham side again this season.
Schwarzer wants to continue playing next season ahead of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and that has prompted his decision to begin contract talks with Fulham – although he wants assurances of first-team football.
“I feel really good and don’t think the age thing is hindering my performances in any way,” he told the Fulham Chronicle. “I’ve had some initial discussions and the intentions are there at the club to keep me.
“But in what capacity we’ll have to wait and see. I want to be playing each week – that’s the key for me. I love playing and don’t want to be number two anywhere.
“The World Cup is also a huge priority and the reality is if I am not playing I don’t think it would be possible to be a part of the national team. I just want to be out there enjoying every minute – especially at this stage of my career. If that means I have to move on at the end of the season, then that’s fine also. Let’s just see how we go.”
Schwarzer started out with Marconi Stallions in Australia before moving to Germany where he played for Dynamo Dresden and Kaiserslautern. He moved to England to join Bradford and then moved to Middlesbrough where he made his name prior to signing for Fulham in 2008.