Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) are set to honour Australian football legend Mark Schwarzer at a gala event next month.
The PFA will honour the 41-year old goalkeeper by awarding him with the prestigious PFA Alex Tobin OAM Medal in an event to be held at the Australian Maritime Museum on Friday May 23.
The current Chelsea gloveman, who is famous for his successful stints at Middlesbrough and Fulham, will become the sixth Australian to win the Alex Tobin award, joining Frank Farina (2012), Mark Viduka (2011), Craig Johnston (2009), Joe Marston (2008) and the late Johnny Warren (2008).
The Tobin Medal was first awarded in 2008 to 'recognise Australian footballers that have demonstrated leadership, achievement as a player, commitment to their fellow professionals and service and dedication to the game'.
Former Australian national team defender Simon Colosimo, who is the PFA President, was full of praise for Schwarzer who holds the record for most Socceroos caps (109).
"Mark's achievements will ensure that he will rightly be regarded as one Australia's finest ever footballers," said Colosimo in a statement.
"The image of Mark celebrating after saving two penalties against Uruguay in the 2005 World Cup Qualifier is one of Australian football's most iconic images but his contribution to went far beyond this.
"His achievements since emerging into the old NSL with Marconi as a fresh faced 19-year-old are many and include: PFA Footballer of Year, Football Federation Australia (FFA) Footballer of the Year, 109 Socceroos Caps, appearances at two World Cups and an Order of Australia Medal.
"Mark has been an inspiration to countless footballers across the country and shown what is possible if you work tirelessly and commit whole heartedly to the game."
