The deal comes after drawn-out negotiations with Boro broke down.

Schwarzer will move to Craven Cottage on a two-year deal, double the length offered by the club he served for 11 years.

The 35-year-old touched down in Sydney on Thursday ahead of the Socceroos' four World Cup qualifiers next month and explained his decision to the media.

"I thought it was important to sort it out sooner rather than later so it didn't affect preparations for the qualifiers," Schwarzer said.

"I was very confident something would be sorted out.

"I had a few other options but felt this was the best one for me.

"I don't think anyone can say anything negative about my stay at Middlesbrough, I fulfilled every contract I had with them."

Schwarzer had been linked with Bayern Munich in Germany as well as a possible move to Italy.

Schwarzer's fitness is under a cloud heading into Australia's friendly with Ghana on Friday night but he is expected to play in the upcoming qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup.