Schwarzer agrees Boro deal

Mark Schwarzer has handed Middlesbrough a huge boost by agreeing a new deal.

Mark Schwarzer has handed Middlesbrough a huge boost by agreeing to a new three-year contract.

The Australian international is Boro's longest serving player, but his future had been in major doubt after talks stalled over a new contract.

The 32-year-old had been strongly linked with Manchester United and Liverpool, and a Bosman transfer look likely in the summer.

However, renewed talks between the two parties have seen a compromise reached and Boro have now secured Schwarzer until 2008.

"I have agreed a new three-year contract with Middlesbrough Football Club, which will keep me at the Riverside until the summer of 2008," he told his own website.

"There has been a lot of speculation recently about whether I would stay on Teesside, with the possibility that I could transfer or sign a pre-contract with another club, but I can confirm that I will be staying in the North East beyond this summer.

"I've had eight great seasons at the club, including a League Cup winner's medal last February, and now a good run in the Uefa Cup.

"The club has come a long way since I signed from Bradford City in February 1997, and this is our best ever season in the league, currently in sixth place having played nearly two-thirds of the season.

"The club has shown that it is ambitious and I want to continue to be a part of that."

Manager Steve McClaren was very happy to have sealed the deal.

"I'm naturally delighted Schwarz has agreed a new contract to stay with the club for another three years," said McClaren. 

"It's great news because it means we know we have a first class goalkeeper in place for the next few seasons.

"Schwarz is one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League and beyond, and I have always made it clear that we wanted to keep him here.

"You can't underestimate how important it is to have a top quality goalkeeper in your side, who you know you can rely on.

"Schwarz has already had eight years with Boro and this new deal means he should now pass a decade here. Spending so long at one club is rare in modern football and is great credit to the player and the club."