Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has signed a contract extension which will keep him at Craven Cottage until at least 2013.
The 39-year-old has expressed his eagerness to represent Australia at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, with the stopper s playing career now likely to extend into his 40s.
Despite Schwarzer s current injury woes, with the ex-Middlesbrough missing from action since December, Martin Jol and the Fulham board were keen to wrap up the Australian s services for a further year.
Schwarzer said: I love playing and want to continue for as long as possible as long as the performances are there.
I like to set myself targets and the 2014 World Cup is my goal without a doubt.
I’m enjoying my football as much as ever and I try to maximise every opportunity I get. The saying I use is I ll be a long time retired , so I want to do the best job I can. There s plenty of time to feel tired when you’re retired – now is the time to enjoy it.
I realised a long time ago what a great life I have and you have to be realistic and realise how privileged we are to play football for a living, at this level in the Premier League. In my opinion it s still the best league in the world.
I look at Brad Freidel and he s older than me so I ll keep going as long as he s going! He said to me he s going to play for at least another two seasons so I ve got at least that.
Schwarzer has made 162 appearances in all competitions since his move from Middlesbrough on a free transfer in 2008.
