Middlesbrough FC

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• Manager:Tony Mowbray

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Schwarzer future in doubt

06 Jul 2007 - 10:13:59

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Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has rejected the offer of a new contract at the Riverside, according to the Australian's agent.

The 34-year-old is about to enter the last year of his current deal and has expressed his regret that negotiations have been left until a late stage.

His agent, Shep Messing, has now confirmed that initial talks have broken up without an agreement being reached.

He said: "Middlesbrough asked what Mark wanted and we confirmed his wish to remain at the club. We put forward a sensible and fair proposition for both player and club.

"We have received a proposal from the club and, at this point, we have been unable to agree on terms.

"He has spent over a decade at Boro and loyalty like that is very rare in football today. Mark is one of the best and most experienced goalkeepers in the world.

"He is on top of his game and enjoying the game more than ever. Wherever he plays, Mark has many more good years ahead of him."

Schwarzer joined Boro on February 1997 from Bradford City and has gone on to make more than 400 first-team appearances for the Teessiders.