Mark Birighitti has vowed to put pressure on Lukasz Fabianski next season after completing his move to Swansea City.
The Australian goalkeeper has signed a two-year deal at the Liberty Stadium and wants to challenge Poland international Fabianski for the No.1 shirt.
Birighitti, 25, was a free agent after leaving Australian side Newcastle Jets from where he became a full international for the Socceroos in 2013. He was also an unused substitute in the 2-1 defeat by England in May.
Birighitti – who spent six months on loan at Italian club Varese, where he worked with Swans assistant coach Gabriele Ambrosetti – will compete with Fabianski, Kristoffer Nordfeldt and Gerhard Tremmel for the keeper’s spot.
He said: “I’m really looking forward to it. As a young footballer growing up you dream of playing in big leagues around the world such as the Premier League, which is the best in the world.
“Growing up, I watched a lot of English football and it was something I wanted to achieve in my career. Hopefully I can repay the club for the faith they have shown in me.
“Before coming here I knew there would be strong competition at the club. Kristoffer is a very good goalkeeper and Gerhard is too.
“Watching the Euros back home in Australia, I saw Lukasz have a fantastic tournament. He was probably one of the best goalkeepers in the tournament.
“But my plan is to take each training session as they come and try to be better than them. I have to make sure when the opportunity comes that I take the opportunity with both hands and don’t look back.
“I worked with Gabriele in Italy at Varese, where he was the club’s sporting director.
“He’s a fantastic person and I’m looking forward to working closely with him again.”
