Van der Sar extends United stay
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Article summary
Manchester United FC goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has agreed a new one-year deal that will keep the Dutch international at Old Trafford until summer 2009.
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Extended deal
The former AFC Ajax and Juventus goalkeeper joined United from Fulham FC in June 2005 and helped United regain the Premier League title last season but, although the 37-year-old recently announced plans to retire from international football after playing for the Netherlands at UEFA EURO 2008™, he is evidently keen to prolong his club career until at least summer 2009. United are lying second in the English top flight and face Olympique Lyonnais in the first knockout round of the UEFA Champions League.
'Good challenge'
"Van der Sar has signed a new contract for another year," confirmed United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. "We are pleased with that because his consistency and experience has been a great help to this club." Ferguson added that Van der Sar's decision will boost competition for goalkeeping places next term, when Ben Foster will also be fit following a long-term knee injury. "I am sure he (Van der Sar) will want to be No1 and I am sure Ben Foster will give him a good challenge," he said.