New Swansea keeper Lukasz Fabianski: I had to leave Arsenal in order to save my career

LUKASZ FABIANSKI says he had to quit Arsenal for Swansea to become a No.1.

I HAD TO LEAVE: Former Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski claims he had to leave the Emirates in order to ressurect his career

Swansea have announced goalkeeper Fabianski will be joining them on a four-year deal from July 1.

The Polish stopper signed off in style by helping Arsenal end their nine-year trophy drought in the FA Cup against Hull, having saved two penalties in the semi-final shootout win over Wigan.

But he spent most of his seven seasons in north London playing second fiddle to Wojciech Szczesny, Manuel Almunia and Jens Lehmann.

Fabianski will face a fight to become first choice if current Swans No.1 Michel Vorm stays on at the Liberty Stadium.

But the 29-year-old said: "If I'm honest, the main reason I came to Swansea was because I want to be the No.1 goalkeeper."

"I want to play week in, week out. It's going to be a real fight, but I'm not afraid of that."

"Competition is always good, so I think everyone will take positives from that."

PARTING SHOT: Fabianski lifts the FA Cup on his Arsenal farewell

"I'm excited. I've already asked for the pre-season programme to see how it looks."

"I'm really looking forward to starting with my new team-mates and I think it's going to be a fantastic new chapter in my life."

"I will be working hard for the club, giving everything every single day. I can promise that."

"I am very happy with the move, the decision and the club. For me, it was an easy decision to make to join the club."

"Everyone interested in football knows that Swansea is a proper football club."

"The way they play football is nice to watch and they have always been an exciting team."

"Based on what the club has achieved in their three previous seasons in the Premier League, you can clearly see that year upon year the club is moving forward."

"The club represents good values and their style of football is something that I would like to be a part of."