Mark Schwarzer believes the move from Middlesbrough to Fulham in mid-2008 was good for his career.
The veteran Australian goalkeeper spent just over a decade at the Riverside as a 'Boro player but when his contract expired in July 2008, he knew it was time for a change.
Since landing at Craven Cottage, the 37-year olds performances have improved and he now finds himself in the heat of battle in the Europa League as well as being on the cusp of another World Cup for his country.
Schwarzer says he hasn't changed too much with his own preparation but puts his continuing improvement down to the fact he has responded to being in a new place.
"I'm not doing much different - to be honest, I think the changes have been external, and I've responded to that change of environment," Schwarzer said.
"I had to get away from Middlesbrough, that felt clear at the time and even more so now looking back (the club was relegated last season).
"The move I got turned out to be the perfect new challenge for me, from the manager to the players he brought in to the way we've played since."
Schwarzer admits the move to Fulham gave him a new lease on life and reiterated the fact he was determined to continue playing at the highest level he could.
"What the move did do was prove to myself that really I had no desire to stop playing, certainly not at the highest level," Schwarzer added.
"Once you've been reinvigorated, and especially when you realise that simply the passage of time means you're in the final stages of your career - well, it makes you want to play every game, and it makes you want to do whatever is necessary.
"Clearly the last World Cup was a fantastic experience, and I felt afterwards I wanted to everything I could to repeat that. But it's on an everyday level too - being near the end of your career brings home to you how short that life in football really is.
"You might stay in the game after you stop playing, but that time when you're being paid to play what is a passion, a hobby, can be over so quickly."
Schwarzer and Fulham take on Burnley at Turf Moor in the Premier League this Saturday.
