Sunday 4 January 2015 20:54, UK
Chelsea's third-choice goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is leaving the club for Leicester, Jose Mourinho says.
Thibaut Courtois' return in the summer pushed both Schwarzer and Petr Cech down the order at Stamford Bridge, and the 42-year-old is yet to play this season.
Mourinho confirmed an imminent transfer, thought to be an 18-month deal, in the aftermath of his side's FA Cup third-round win over Watford on Sunday and said Jamal Blackman would consequently return from his loan at Middlesbrough.
The Chelsea manager also ruled out any prospect of a move for Cech, whose start against Watford was just his eighth of the season.
Schwarzer will add to Leicester's goalkeeping options in the continuing absence of Kasper Schmeichel, who is out with a broken metatarsal.
The details of Schwarzer's move are yet to be confirmed but Mourinho, speaking after his side's 3-0 victory, told the club's official website: "I want to publicly thank Mark Schwarzer because he’s leaving us and he was a fantastic guy for us.
"As a goalkeeper, when we needed him, he was there for us, and as a person and a professional he was an amazing guy in our group. On behalf of myself, my staff and my players I want to say we are going to miss the big guy and we wish him all the best in his new life at Leicester.
"We’ll bring Jamal back from Middlesbrough. He was on loan there but he wasn’t playing so for them it’s not a problem. For us, he’s a young, English goalkeeper. He can work with Courtois and Cech so for him it’s a good experience."
