Edwin van der Sar: photo, biography and achievements

Edwin van der Sar is one of the most popular football players, the legend of European football and the Netherlands national team. He was born on October 29, 1970, and this player is indeed one of the most outstanding goalkeepers in the world. In 2011, at the age of 41, he completed his club career. This player has a very rich and exciting biography, and it's worth telling about it.

Carier start

Van der Sar began to play in the clubs of his hometown. In these teams he was spotted by Louis van Gal, and as a result was invited to "Ajax". Naturally, the young at that time the goalkeeper agreed to this advantageous offer. So he became one of the most valuable players of the second line-up. Together with the Dutch team, he won three national Cups and four championships, as well as the UEFA Cup in 1992. And the most important club tournament. That is, the Champions League (in 1995). At the same time he was recognized as the best goalkeeper in the whole of Europe. And van der Sar broke the "dry" record of the Champions League. In the Netherlands, "Ajax" football player played 226 matches and even scored one penalty from the penalty spot. In general, these nine years have been quite fruitful. But this, as it turned out, was only the beginning.

Career in "Juventus" and "Fulham"

In 1999, van der Sar took another advantageous offer - this time from Turin's "Juventus". As part of this club, he went on the field 66 times. But then, as you might guess, in his place rose the great Gianluigi Buffon, who to this day protects the honor of the "old lady". It is interesting that the goalkeeper van der Sar became the first in the history of the Turin team to goalkeeper is not of Italian origin.

Then he was invited to "Fulham". The Netherlands did not agree with the role of reserve goalkeeper in the "Juventus", so I decided to move to England. For him was given an amount of about 7 100 000 euros. For his new team the Dutchman played 154 matches. In general, four years. Then in his life came another important career stage.

"Manchester United"

"Red Devils" bought out the goalkeeper for the amount that was not disclosed. But the British were pleased with the acquisition. Van der Sar, whose biography is really impressive, was named the best goalkeeper of the team. So said himself Sir Alex Ferguson - head coach. And Edwin justified his hopes. For example, one of the most vivid and memorable matches was the game against Manchester City. Then Edwin managed to keep the gate absolutely "dry". That game ended in favor of "United", only with a minimum score of 1: 0. As a result of that season, van der Sar was included in the team of the year, created by the PFA version. A couple of months he was recognized as the hero of the match. It was a game taking place within the Super Bowl of England, and Manchester United won it - not without the help of a goalkeeper. Edwin reflected three direct hits from the Londoners, and all from the penalty spot.

There is one factor that did a good job of making excellent sevies to a goalkeeper like van der Sar. Growth is what we are talking about. He does not reach only 3 centimeters to two meters. High, agile, instantly responsive, attentive - these qualities helped to become Edwin really an outstanding goalkeeper.

Career in the national team

This goalkeeper was included in the Netherlands national team at the 1994 World Cup as a reserve (the main one then was Ed de Guy), but for the first time in this lineup he entered the field only a year later. And from that moment Edwin was the first number of the team at all subsequent championships, both European and world.

At the European Championships, held in 2000, he did not miss a single goal. Only when he was replaced by Sander Westerfeld, the national team got a goal from their opponents into their own net. In general, the sum of the "dry" series, issued by the great Dutchman, is 594 minutes. And this is the record of all European championships. In 2006, he beat another indicator. At that World Cup, he left behind his shoulders the record of Frank de Boer in the number of games for the national team.

However, in 2008 he said that after the European Championships he would immediately hang his gloves on a nail. And it happened. True, when in the qualifying World Cup 2010, the main goalkeeper of the national team was injured, he was summoned to the team. Edwin could not refuse and went on the field twice, without conceding a single goal.

Interesting facts and achievements

It is worth noting that Edwin played in a modern manner. Often went beyond the gate (immediately recalled the best goalkeeper of our time - Manuel Neuer) and loved to play in the position of the last defender. It's hard not to admit that he played great with his feet.

Van der Sar has a wife Annemarie van Kesteren, with whom he married in 2006, and two children - the daughter of Lynn and the son of Joey.

And he also has an incredible number of achievements, which it is impossible to enumerate all. 14 trophies with Ajax, Intertoto Cup with Juventus and second with Fulham, 11 titles with Manchester United, fourth place at the 1998 World Cup and bronze at European championships 2000 and 2004. And this is only team achievement. "Golden Glove", a special award PFA for merits before football, seven-time holder of the status of the best goalkeeper and, finally, the most age-old player of the Champions League final in history. Van der Sar is really a great footballer. And it's proven.