Perth Glory boss Kenny Lowe has poured cold water over speculation the club would be signing former Leicester City goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer but says a keeper signing is imminent at the Hyundai A-League.
Schwarzer was released by EPL champions Leicester City at the end of their incredibly successful campaign in which he was back-up to Kasper Schmeichel.
Since then, speculation has grown that the legendary shot-stopper was keen on a return to Australia.
But speaking after Tuesday’s announcement that he’d signed a two-year contract extension with the WA club, Lowe dismissed speculation the Socceroo World Cup hero was on his way to nib Stadium.
“Someone of that iconic level, of course you’re want to be interested, whether that comes to fruition or not,” Lowe told reporters.
“I think you’re always interested in good players and that’s our mantra. Again, good players but WA players if possible.
“We’re actually well down the line in dialogue with a number of keepers but there’s not many Aussies out there, it’s proving difficult at the moment.
“But I think we’ve landed something so something might happen in the next couple of days but it’s not Mark [Schwarzer]. He won’t come.”
When pressed on the issue on Tuesday, Glory owner Tony Sage said the 109-cap Socceroo was likely to hang-up the gloves.
“As soon as Leicester cut him I rang Kenny straight away and said ‘just contact him, you must know Mark’.
“It would be fantastic to have someone of that calibre here. But he’s got his own plans now, I mean he’s 42.
“I think he wants to retire. He might have one stint and the only club he would go back to, if it was Australia, would be Sydney [FC] since he came from there.”
Lowe’s re-signing comes off the back of a successful season for Perth.
Glory ended fifth in the Hyundai A-League and they made the final of the Westfield FFA Cup, losing to Victory in Melbourne.
And with the additions of Socceroos trio Adam Taggart, Rhys Williams and Chris Herd, Lowe believes the club will continue to improve in 2016/17.
“We want to grow the club. We want to be the best club in Australia, that’s what we want to do,” he said.
“Whether that’s achievable or not, I haven’t got a clue. But that’s the aspiration.”
