Mark Schwarzer hoping to revive career at Leicester City following Chelsea move

Mark Schwarzer is confident his move to Leicester City from Chelsea will give him the opportunity to revive his Premier League career at the age of 42.

The former Australia international signed an 18-month contract with the struggling Foxes on Tuesday (6 January) and is likely to be thrown straight into the first team with Kasper Schmeichel sidelined with a foot injury.

While Schwarzer was given a rare chance as the Blues number one at the end of last season after Petr Cech suffered a shoulder injury, the arrival of Thibaut Courtois this season has seen the veteran drop to third choice at Stamford Bridge, making the match day squad on just four occasions.

With two world class goalkeepers ahead of him in the pecking order in west London, the veteran admits a relegation scrap with Nigel Pearson's side represents his best chance of prolonging his career at the top level.

"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 told Leicester City's official website.

"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.

"You've got to perform on the training pitch first and foremost but I believe in my own ability and I believe with the experience I have I can bring something to the team as well."

Schwarzer, who holds the record of most Premier League appearances from a foreign player, received glowing praise from Jose Mourinho following his departure.

"[I'd like] to publicly thank Mark Schwarzer, because he is leaving us, and he was a fantastic guy for us – as a goalkeeper when we needed him," Mourinho said after his side's FA Cup third round victory over Watford on Sunday.

"He was there for us, and as a person and a professional, he was an amazing guy in our group."

Schwarzer could make his debut against Aston Villa on Saturday.