BERLIN: Australia goalkeeper Mitchell Langerak says he is relishing the fight for a starting place at his new club VfB Stuttgart following his German league transfer from Borussia Dortmund.
The 26-year-old Socceroos shot-stopper spent five years at Dortmund, but made just 22 Bundesliga appearances as under-study to Borussia's Germany squad member Roman Weidenfeller.
Langerak finished with winners medals when Borussia won the 2011 and 2012 Bundesliga titles and German Cup in 2012, when he came off the bench to play his part in a 5-2 win over Bayern Munich, but wants more regular football.
Having won six caps for Australia, Langerak completed his transfer to Stuttgart on Monday and jumped straight into training at his new club's pre-season camp in Austria.
"Stuttgart was always a tough opponent, who always fought hard against Dortmund. The team has quality and I am proud to be part of this team," Langerak told the Stuttgarter Nachrichten.
"I am aware that I need to work hard in pre-season so that I can play.
"When things get going again, we want to start our season well, then we'll see what's possible."
Stuttgart face Cologne in their opening match when the new season begins in August.
He will be fighting with Poland international Przemyslaw Tyton and Germany Under-20 goalkeeper Odisseas Vlachodimos for the Number One shirt at Stuttgart, who only narrowly avoided relegation last season to finish 14th in the table, while Dortmund were seventh.
"For goalkeepers, it is quit normal that they have to compete with one or two good rivals and we all have to fight for a regular place," said Langerak.
"I expected this situation and I am looking forward to the challenge."
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