Australian goakeeper Mark Schwarzer will become the first new signing to set foot at Craven Cottage this summer after the London club beat off competition from Juventus, Bayern Munich and other European clubs to secure his signature. Schwarzer, 35, leaves Middlesbrough after a eleven year stay at the Riverside.

Fulham just about survived the relegation battle last season, staging an amazing comeback in their last few games under Roy Hodgson. They were narrowly beaten to England's fairplay spot for the UEFA Cup by Manchester City. The club, who already have Antii Niemi, Kasey Keller and Tony Warner in their ranks, have signed Schwarzer on a two year contract. Schwarzer holds the record for being the longest serving foreigner at one Premiership club, breaking Dennis Bergkamp's Arsenal record in December 2007.

Will Schwarzer get regular first team football at Fulham? Probably yes, which explains his reason to snub Juve and Bayern. Meanwhile Fulham have launched a mass cleanout, with Carlos Bocanegra, Jari Litmanen and Philippe Christanval among the eight players that have been released by the club.