Football Icons: Edwin van der Sar
Let's have a look at another football icon. This one's a keeper
Edwin van der Sar is a Dutch football executive and former professional player who is currently the chief executive of AFC Ajax.
Time at Ajax and Juventus
He began his senior playing career in the early 1990s; he is considered to be a member of the club's golden generation and was part of the Ajax team that won the UEFA Champions League in 1995. He left Ajax for Juventus in 1999
He spent two years at Juventus but his time there was mixed. After a series of mistakes, he lost his place in the summer of 2001, after the Bianconeri purchased Italian international goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon from Parma for approximately £32.6 million, a world-record fee for a goalkeeper. Unwilling to remain as second-choice behind Buffon, Van der Sar made it clear he wished to move on after two years in Serie A
Fulham
On 1 August 2001, Van der Sar opted to play in England and joined newly-promoted Fulham in a shock move worth £7 million, signing a four-year contract. The following day, Van der Sar was unveiled by Fulham, and upon his arrival, he described the club as having a nice friendly atmosphere
He made his league debut on 18 August 2001 in a 2–3 away defeat against Manchester United. In total, he notched up 127 league appearances while at Fulham. In a game against Aston Villa in his final season at the club, he memorably saved two penalties from Juan Pablo Ángel in a 1–1 draw. His performances for the Cottagers caught the eye of Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
More Champions League glory at Manchester United
In his second season, he played a big part in Manchester United regaining the Premier League title. On 5 May 2007, a penalty save from Darius Vassell helped assure a 1–0 triumph over Manchester City in the Manchester derby. The following day, Chelsea's failure to beat Arsenal at the Emirates ensured Manchester United's ninth Premier League trophy and Van der Sar's first. He was named in the 2006–07 PFA Team of the Year.
The following season was even better. He had several great performances despite a niggling groin injury. He would help United secure their second successive Premier League title on the final day and win the Champions League by saving the final penalty of the shoot-out from Nicolas Anelka.
He won two more Premier League titles in the final three seasons, a Club World Cup and two League Cups. His final career game in the 2011 Champions League final, when his United side lost 3-1 to a Lionel Messi inspired Barcelona.
International career
Van der Sar was included in the Netherlands' 1994 World Cup squad but did not play. He had to wait until 7 June 1995 for his international debut, against Belarus.
He was ultimately in goal for three successive eliminations from major competitions by penalties: Euro 96, the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. The Netherlands failed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup after competing with Portugal and the Republic of Ireland. During all of his career with the Netherlands, he had missed one tournament.
