Injection of youth and wisdom as Schwarzer signs new deal

In what has been an unusually active transfer window day for Fulham FC, Mark Schwarzer has extended his contract with the club whilst youngsters Jack Grimmer and Lasse Vigen Christensen have joined from Scotland and Denmark respectively.

Schwarzer, who, since signing in 2008 under Roy Hodgson, has overseen the club's highest finish in the Premier League and the European heroics of 2010, has signed an extension that will see his number one jersey upheld at Craven Cottage until at least 2013.

Speaking about his future ambitions, the international goalkeeper told fulhamfc.com:

"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."

Meanwhile, highly rated pair Jack Grimmer and Lasse Vigen Christensen have joined up with the development squad for the remainder of the 2011/12 season.

Grimmer, a very highly rated Scottish prospect, signs from Aberdeen while Christensen, an under-17 Danish international whom was turned away by Arsenal, joins from FC Midjtylland.