Schwarzer to Leave Middlesbrough

New York, New York. July 6, 2007. -- Global Sport Group, LLC (www.globalsportgroup.com), the international player representation company, today announced that it has been unable to agree to terms to extend Mark Schwarzer’s contract with Middlesbrough FC in the English Premiership.

There has been much speculation in the press regarding the future of the Australian National Team and Middlesbrough star goalkeeper. A number of top European clubs have reportedly expressed interest in Schwarzer and the likelihood of a potential transfer seems to be increasing. Shep Messing, Managing Director of Global Sport Group, said, " Middlesbrough Football Club 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," commented Messing, who was, himself, a well-known goalkeeper for the New York Cosmos, playing alongside soccer greats Pelé and Franz Beckenbauer. "Mark is one of the best and most experienced goalkeepers in the world today. He’s on top of his game and enjoying the game more than ever. Wherever he plays, Mark has many more great years ahead of him."

With the 2010 World Cup in his plans, Schwarzer’s aim is to settle his club future so he can concentrate purely on football.

"Middlesbrough FC and Keith Lamb have been extremely professional with regard to our discussions about Mark’s future," said Mr. Messing. "While I certainly respect whatever their final decision may be, our job is to provide advice and guidance to a man and goalkeeper who we believe is among the best in the world of football. If that means parting ways, Mark will always have great memories of his time there."

"He Middlesbrough FC has Schwarzer under contract for one more year and as such, can sell Mark this summer, or, in January, he will be allowed to sign a ‘pre-contract’ with another club and like his Australian teammate Mark Viduka, leave the Riverside on a free transfer."

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Global Sport Group (www.globalsportgroup.com) is an international management firm that offers player representation, brand management and comprehensive wealth management for professional athletes. Using this integrated approach, Global helps players enhance their value in the marketplace, capture that value and maximize their wealth - during and beyond their playing careers. These services are delivered with uncompromising integrity, honesty and un-conflicted advocacy of its clients' best interest.