The 35-year-old snubbed interest from the likes of Juventus and Bayern Munich to join the London team's bid to make their mark in the Premier League next season.

Manager Roy Hodgson's outlay of around £9million after replacing Lawrie Sanchez in December finally saved Fulham from the drop on the last day of the season but Hodgson is determined it will not be that close again and has promised a raft of signings this summer.

Schwarzer is the first after he turned down Boro's offer of a new deal at the Riverside.

Hodgson has made his first priority to shore up the Fulham defence but it could mean the departure of former Finland international keeper Antti Niemi, although he still has a year left on his contract at Craven Cottage.

American veteran Kasey Keller, who replaced injury-prone Niemi as first choice towards the end of the season, is now out of contract and expected to retire to his home in California.

Schwarzer, who has jetted off to Australia to join their preparations for the start of World Cup qualifying with a friendly against Ghana, said: "I had a few options, including staying at Middlesbrough, but I'm happy with my choice and thought it was best to sort it out sooner rather than later before the the build-up to the qualifiers.

"I don't think anybody can say anything negative about my stay at Middlesbrough. I fulfilled every contract I had with them and now I'm looking forward to coming done to London and joining the Fulham lads at pre-season training."

Schwarzer, who began his professional career aged 19 with Marconi Stallions in the Australian National Soccer League, also had spells in Germany with Dynamo Dresden and FC Kaiserslautern then joined Bradford City before switching to Middlesbrough in April 1997.

He added: "I felt the time was right for me to move on, and when the opportunity came to talk to Roy Hodgson about his plans it didn't take long to make a decision about joining Fulham even though there were some good offers from big clubs in Europe."

Hodgson told Fulham's official website: "After stiff competition from a number of high-profile European clubs, I am exceptionally pleased that Mark has chosen to come to us.

"His credentials in both the domestic and international arenas are impeccable, which is reinforced by the calibre of clubs that wanted to sign him.

"We have some work to do off the field this summer to enable us to compete next season in the Premier League and to avoid the position we found ourselves in a short time ago.

"Therefore I am very pleased that Mark will be joining us and helping with the task ahead."