MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has joined Fulham from rivals Middlesbrough.

The 35-year-old, who arrived in Sydney on Thursday for Australia's four World Cup qualifiers in June, told reporters he had signed a two-year contract with the west London club.

Schwarzer, who could play in Friday's friendly with Ghana in Sydney, had been given permission by Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek to remain in Britain to finalise the deal.

Schwarzer joined Middlesbrough in 1997 and had been offered a new contract to stay at the northeast club, though manager Gareth Southgate had been resigned to losing the Australian.

A renowned shot-stopper, Schwarzer helped Middlesbrough to the League Cup in 2004 and his penalty shootout heroics against Uruguay in Sydney sent Australia to the 2006 World Cup finals.

(Reporting by Greg Stutchbury)