Following last month's 1-0 win over Iraq in Sydney, which sent Australia to their third-consecutive World Cup finals, Socceroos head coach Holger Osieck would have been concerned about the futures of his captain Lucas Neill and preferred gloveman Schwarzer, who were both without clubs for the coming season.

But at least one half of that puzzle has fallen into place on Tuesday with Schwarzer clinching a contract with Europa League champions Chelsea under returning manager Jose Mourinho.

"It's a phenomenal club. It's one of the biggest and best clubs in the world, and it's an honour to sign for Chelsea. I didn't take much convincing to come here," Schwarzer told Chelsea's website.

Mourinho, who has returned as Chelsea manager after five seasons out of London, has been steadily strengthening his squad since his return to Stamford Bridge.

With Mourinho on board and an impressive squad, Chelsea should be significant contenders for the 2013/14 English Premier League title and while Schwarzer had other offers, he could not turn down the Blues.

"I live closer to here than my previous club (Fulham)," Schwarzer said.

"There were a lot of things that ticked all the boxes but most of all Chelsea Football Club is an enormous club and I think a club that can re-establish itself as the best club in the country.

"It has an unbelievable manager and an unbelievable squad of players and it's very exciting."

Both Neill and Schwarzer finished last season without a club with the former completing a short-term contract with Sydney FC, while the latter left Fulham when he could not receive a guarantee of first-team football.

The desire for game time makes Schwarzer's decision to join Chelsea seem strange as he will have to dislodge Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech from the number-one shirt to be regularly involved but despite the enormity of that task, the Australian is convinced Chelsea was the right option for him.

"I still have a lot of aspirations to play for my country. 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 said.

"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."

Schwarzer was a free agent after being released by Fulham at the end of last season, having spent five years at Craven Cottage.

The former Middlesbrough goalkeeper has made over 100 appearances for his country and represented them at the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups.