New Leicester City signing Mark Schwarzer believes he can play a valuable role in helping the club survive in the Premier League.
The 42-year-old goalkeeper has been snapped up on a free transfer from Chelsea and signed a contract until June 2016 earlier today.
Schwarzer's arrival reunites him with former Middlesbrough team-mate, and current City boss Nigel Pearson, and the Australian international said he was determined to his part.
"The club made an inquiry to Chelsea over a week ago to see if I was available and then I was given permission to speak to them," he told Sky Sports.
"Over the last couple of days everything was agreed and it was pretty straight forward.
"At Chelsea I definitely wasn't going to play unless something major happened.
"I have a lot experience. There are some good goalkeepers as well at Leicester and good competition but the idea is to put some pressure on and hopefully perform well enough to be selected to play.
"It is very obvious that is where they are at the moment but they are a good club and there are talented players at the club, but they probably lack that bit of experience in the Premier League.
"Obviously I have that so hopefully I can bring that and help the boys out.
"The club has really turned the corner in the last couple of games. They have played very well and got some good results.
"I am coming here with lots of optimism and hopefully we can continue that and take it even further."
Schwarzer says he knows exactly what to expect from Pearson and believes he has the fighting spirit City need in their relegation battle.
"I know from way back then, what he was like as a player and what he is like as a person," said Schwarzer.
"He is a fighter all the way. Everyone speaks very highly of him at the club and I knew when he was interested in bringing me to the club what I was letting myself into.
"I am really exciting about the challenge and looking forward to do my best for Leicester City."
Schwarzer is unlikely to be the last of City's January transfer window recruits and he said he thought City needed to bring in some experience.
"If you look at the speculation surrounding the club at the moment there seems to be quite a bit of movement," he added.
"One thing I think they are trying to do, and what they have done with me, is bring in experience.
"They are trying to even up the limited experience they have in the players they have and add a few more experienced players."
After his glittering career, which has seen him play over 500 Premier League games, keeping 150 clean sheets, and having been capped over 100 times by his country, Schwarzer said he is relishing this new challenge
"Sometimes I have to pinch myself but there is also a lot of hard work," he said.
"I enjoy playing and if didn't like playing as much as I did and look after myself like I do then this wouldn't happen.
"I want to continue to play as long as I possibly can and as long as I am good enough to play. I believe I am.
"At the end of the day it is all about performances. I believe given the chance I can perform and help Leicester City."
Pearson said: "I'm absolutely delighted that we've been able to sign a player of Mark's vast experience.
"To have played the number of games he has played at the very top level is outstanding and highlights both his ability and his professionalism.
"I know Mark really well. He has a number of great attributes as a player and brings a huge amount of Premier League know-how to the squad.
"His qualities as a player and as a man will be very valuable for us during the second half of the season and beyond."
City are still locked in talks tonight with Croatia striker Andrej Kramaric finalising details over his £9 million move from HNK Rijeka.
