Mark Schwarzer Looking to Put Pressure on Chelsea No.1 Petr Cech

New Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is unwilling to allow his one-year spell at Stamford Bridge to represent early retirement and has pledged to put pressure on number one Petr Cech next season.

After failing to agree a new deal with Fulham, Schwarzer became a free agent in the summer following five years at Craven Cottage, and has penned a one-year deal with the Europa League winners.

Schwarzer will be installed as the number two at Chelsea following the departures of Henrique Hilario and Ross Turnbull, but despite being in the twilight of his career at 40 years old, the Australian international has promised to make a case for being first choice in west London.

"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," he said.

The ex-Middlesbrough stopper is among the most experienced goalkeepers in the top flight, and is one of only nine players to have played over 500 times in the Premier League.

Despite being linked with moves to Arsenal and Hull City, Schwarzer has chosen to be Cech's understudy for the new season rather than as first choice lower down the league pyramid.

Even with appearances expected to be restricted to the early rounds of the domestic cup competitions, Schwarzer remains keen to continue playing at the highest level to ensure he features for his country at the 2014 World Cup.

"I still have a lot of aspirations to play for my country," he added. "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.

"There were other interests 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 to be sitting here today.

"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."