Utd Kids Wife

GOALKEEPER

An excellent shot-stopper that provided the stability that United were missing since Schmeichel left.

Has solid experience with an illustrious playing career.

Considered one of the best goal-keepers of all time.

Dutchman keeper Edwin van der Sar made his professional debut for Ajax at the age of 20 in 1990 and it didn’t take long for him to win major honours. In 1992 his first senior club won the UEFA Cup. This was followed up in 1995 with a UEFA Champions League medal with van der Sar’s form leading to him winning the Best European Goalkeeper award in the same year. The next year Ajax, enjoying one of the most successful spells in their history, reached the final again but Edwin had to put up with a runners up medal after losing a penalty shoot out with Italian giants – and his future club – Juventus.

It was during van der Sar’s spell at Ajax that he broke into the Holland national team, first as an unused substitute in the 1994 World Cup, before making his debut in June 1995 against Belarus. VDS subsequently played in the team for the next three major international competitions, where the team were knocked on penalties on each occasion. Edwin made a total of 226 domestic league appearances for Ajax and scored 1 goal, he had been part of a team that won the Dutch Eredivisie some 4 times, as well winning 6 other domestic honours. His form for Ajax saw him win the Dutch Football Goalkeeper of the Year 4 times in succession between 1994 and 1997, the only player to do so, and also won the Dutch Golden shoe in 1998.

In 1999 he signed for Italian giants Juventus after deciding that he had achieved all that he could in Dutch football, however he was soon on the substitutes bench following the emergence of Gianluigi Buffon. This was no disgrace however as Buffon has gone on to win World Goalkeeper of the Year roughly 4 times and has a World Cup winners medal to his name. This prompted him to make a move to Fulham where he helped them to become a mid-table team. These performances prompted Ferguson to make a move for his services in the summer of 2005. Some would argue that van der Sar is still playing as well as ever but the 2009/10 season is rumoured to be his last.