Edwin van der Sar set a world record by maintaining a clean sheet for 1,311 consecutive minutes during the 2008–09 football season. His professional tenure spanned two decades, establishing him as a primary figure in European football through his roles at Ajax, Juventus, Fulham, and Manchester United, ultimately securing 26 major trophies throughout his career.
Early Career and Ajax
Born in 1970 in Voorhout, the goalkeeper began his path at local clubs Foreholte and Noordwijk. Under the management of Louis van Gaal at Ajax, he became a central component of the club's golden generation. His tenure at the Amsterdam arena included winning the 1994–95 UEFA Champions League and reaching the 1996 final. During this period, he earned the Dutch Football Goalkeeper of the Year award for four consecutive years and was named Best European Goalkeeper in 1995.
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In 1999, he transferred to the Italian club Juventus for approximately £5 million, becoming their first non-Italian goalkeeper. He made 66 Serie A appearances before moving to England in 2001 to join Fulham. His four-year stint with the London club involved 127 league appearances and performances that garnered further attention from elite English clubs, notably his double penalty save against Aston Villa.
International and Executive Contributions
He represented the Netherlands national team 130 times, remaining the nation's most-capped player until 2017. His achievements were recognized with his appointment as a Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau and the receipt of the Fanny Blankers-Koen Career Award in 2011. Post-retirement, he transitioned into executive management, serving as the chief executive of Ajax.
Fast facts
- Born: 1970, Voorhout
- Citizenship: Kingdom of the Netherlands
- International caps: 130
- Major trophies won: 26
- Oldest Premier League winner: 40 years and 205 days
- Key awards: Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau, Fanny Blankers-Koen Career Award
Questions readers ask
Which major European clubs did he represent as a player?
He played for Ajax in the Netherlands, Juventus in Italy, and both Fulham and Manchester United in England.
What record did he establish in the 2008–09 season?
He set a world record by not conceding a league goal for 1,311 consecutive minutes.
Achievements
- Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau
- Worked as association football player
