Schwarzer decides to stay at Boro

Schwarzer has had a change of heart

Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has been removed from the transfer list after withdrawing his request.

The 33-year-old Australian asked to go on the transfer list earlier this month and was linked with a move to Arsenal and Portsmouth.

But it appears he has decided to remain at Middlesbrough, who he joined in January 1997 for £1.5m from Bradford.

Schwarzer signed a new contract with Boro only a year ago tying him to the Riverside until 2008.

He put in his request after being dropped for the FA Cup third round tie at Nuneaton - but there has been no firm interest from other Premiership clubs.

The club were fools in letting it get to a situation where he wanted to leave From S Have your say on 606

Schwarzer's agent Barry Silkman told BBC Sport after he handed in his request: "Mark feels it's time to move on - he wants to stay in England, but he wouldn't rule out going abroad."

Silkman added: "Ideally he'll move in January - but who knows in football?"

"When his contract was running out I had three or four Premier League clubs call me but Mark at that time was not interested in talking to them, he just wanted to stay at Middlesbrough."