A fee of £4 million made Sander Westerveld the most expensive goalkeeper in British football when he transferred to Liverpool in the summer of 1999. During his time at Anfield, the Dutch player established himself as a central figure for the club, securing a notable treble of the FA Cup, League Cup, and UEFA Cup in 2001.
Early Career and Move to England
Born in 1974 in Enschede, Netherlands, Westerveld began his professional journey with Twente in 1994. After two seasons, he transitioned to Vitesse, where he performed through the 1998–99 season before moving to Liverpool. His debut for the Reds occurred on 7 August 1999, resulting in a victory against Sheffield Wednesday. He became Gérard Houllier's primary choice in goal, playing a critical role during the 1999–2000 season by conceding the fewest goals in the league.
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The 2000–01 season marked the height of his Liverpool career. He was instrumental in the League Cup final, where he successfully saved a penalty from Andrew Johnson to defeat Birmingham City. Despite this, he faced increased scrutiny following an error against Bolton Wanderers on 27 August 2001. Shortly after, the club acquired Jerzy Dudek and Chris Kirkland, and Westerveld was subsequently transferred to the Spanish club Real Sociedad for £3.4 million in December 2001.
International and Late Career
Westerveld earned six international caps for the Netherlands between 1999 and 2001, debuting against Brazil. He was part of the Dutch squads for Euro 2000 and Euro 2004, though his appearances were limited by the presence of Edwin van der Sar. Following his stint in Spain, he played for Portsmouth, Everton, Almería, Sparta Rotterdam, and Monza. He eventually settled at Ajax Cape Town, initially serving as a goalkeeper before transitioning into a coaching role at the club.
Fast facts
- Born: 1974, Enschede
- Citizenship: Kingdom of the Netherlands
- Professional debut: 1994, Twente
- Liverpool fee: £4 million
- International caps: 6
- Major honours: FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Cup (2001)
Questions readers ask
Did Sander Westerveld play for Everton?
Yes, he joined Everton on a 28-day loan in February 2006 to address a goalkeeping crisis.
What is his current involvement in football?
After concluding his playing career, he served as a goalkeeping coach for the South African club Ajax Cape Town.
Achievements
- Worked as association football player, goalkeeper coach and association football coach
