Schwarzer: I am here to challenge Cech

New Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has insisted that he will look to challenge first-team favourite Petr Cech.

The 40-year-old free agent made the switch from Fulham to Chelsea on a one-year deal on Tuesday following his departure from Craven Cottage. 

The Australian spent five years at Fulham after spells with Middlesbrough and Bradford City, and has since become the first overseas player to make 500 top-flight appearances in the Premier League. 

However, despite knowing he will not be first choice at Stamford Bridge, Schwarzer does not intend to warm the bench all season and will aim to build some healthy competition for Cech.

"Obviously Petr is a fantastic goalkeeper and the number one goalkeeper at Chelsea but I am here to help push him along, he will hopefully push me along and help the younger keepers at the club as well. I'm very excited of the challenges ahead," he told the club's official website. 

Schwarzer, who has 108 caps for his country, also revealed his ambitions to continue representing Australia with hopes that he will be able to play in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. 

"I still have a lot of aspirations to play for my country," he added. 

"I want to play another World Cup, we've just qualified for Brazil and I want to continue to play at the highest level for as long as possible."

Schwarzer is in contention to featur in Chelsea's upcoming pre-season tour of Asia, which begins against Singha All-Stars on July 17.