SYDNEY (AFP) - Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer said Thursday he had signed a two-year deal with English Premier League side Fulham, ending an 11-year career with Middlesbrough.

Schwarzer announced the deal after arriving in Sydney from England for Australia's international friendly against Ghana Friday.

"I sort of half had my mind made up a while ago, that this could be a strong possibility that I could leave Middlesbrough," he told reporters.

"I just think the timing was right."

The 35-year-old's contract with Middlesbrough was due to end next month. He has played 467 games for the club since arriving at the Riverside in 1997.

Schwarzer said Fulham's goalkeeping coach Mike Kelly played a major role in his decision to join the Cottagers, who narrowly avoided relegation this season.

"Their goalkeeping coach was my very first goalkeeping coach in England when I was at Middlesbrough," he said.

"He was in contact with me and was very enthusiastic about me coming to the club."