Former Manchester United and Ajax goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is in intensive care after suffering a bleed around his brain, the Dutch club have confirmed.
The 52-year-old is said to be in a “stable condition” with Ajax stating that they will provide updates on his condition in due course.
It has been reported in the Netherlands that Van der Sar has been holidaying in Croatia.
Van der Sar stepped down as Ajax’s chief executive officer at the end of May after seven years in the job – a spell that coincided with three Eredivisie titles, two Dutch Cups, a runners-up finish in the Europa League and a run to the Champions League semi-final in 2019.
A club statement read: “On Friday, Edwin van der Sar has had a bleeding around his brain. He’s currently in hospital in the intensive care unit and is in a stable condition.
“Once there is more concrete information, an update will follow.
“Everyone at Ajax wishes Edwin a speedy recovery. We’re thinking of you.”
Manchester United tweeted: “Sending all our love and strength to you, Edwin.”
Fulham, where the Dutchman played between 2001-05, posted: “Everyone at Fulham Football Club wishes Edwin a speedy recovery. We’re thinking of you.”
Van der Sar enjoyed a stellar 21-year playing career, representing Ajax, Juventus, Fulham and Manchester United at club level and making 130 appearances for the Dutch national team.
The legendary goalkeeper won numerous honours including eight domestic league titles in the Netherlands and England as well as the Champions League with both Ajax (in 1995) and United (in 2008).
He was also named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year on three separate occasions and won the division’s golden glove award for the most clean sheets in the 2008-09 season.
Since hanging up his gloves, Van der Sar has become a highly-regarded administrator both in his previous roles at Ajax and as the vice-chair of the European Club Association.
Van der Sar has been linked with a sporting director role at United in the past and left Ajax after a disappointing 2022-23 campaign which saw the club finish third in the Dutch league.
“After nearly 11 years on the board, I’m exhausted,” Van der Sar said. “It doesn’t feel good to have to make imminent decisions about the future of this beautiful club. Hence my decision to stop now.”
He later added on Twitter: “After almost 11 years on the board, I am done. We have experienced wonderful things together, but it has also been an incredibly tough period.
“I am very grateful for the people I have met and worked with during my second career at Ajax, and what we have achieved and been through together.
“I feel the need to take some distance, to get some rest, and to do other things. It doesn’t feel good to take decisions about the future of this wonderful club in the coming period. That is why I have decided to resign.”
