Former Manchester United, Ajax and Netherlands star Edwin van der Sar was rushed to hospital in Croatia on Friday after suffering a brain haemorrhage.
The ex-goalkeeper, 53, has been on holiday in the country. He collapsed and was taken to hospital by helicopter, and is staying in the intensive care unit, with the first 24 hours considered crucial.
Former club Ajax sent a message of support upon learning the news. Their 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."
Van der Sar had enjoyed a family night out with his daughter Lynn and friends at the Carpe Diem Bar in Hvar on Thursday. He also posed for a photo with DJ Tom Chambers at Laganini the previous day.
Van der Sar won the Champions League with both Ajax and Manchester United during his playing career. He also represented the Netherlands at the 1998 World Cup as they reached the semi-finals.
United have sent a message of their own. "Sending all our love and strength to you, Edwin," it reads.
He was also twice on the losing side in Champions League finals with the English club, and his final game before retiring came against Barcelona in the 2011 showpiece.
Van der Sar’s former United team-mate Rio Ferdinand tweeted: “Ed is a fighter. Our thoughts are with the Van Der Sar family!”
He moved into non-playing roles at Ajax after hanging up his gloves, serving as CEO until he decided to step down in 2023.
When confirming Van der Sar's decision to step down, the Amsterdam club revealed he would stay in his role until August 1 to help with transitions.
"After almost eleven years on the board, I am done," Van der Sar said in a statement in May confirming the end of his time as Ajax CEO. "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."
A number of fans have shared messages of support for Van der Sar following Ajax's own statement. "Get well legend," wrote one Man Utd supporter, while the official FIFA Twitter account wrote: "Wishing you a speedy recovery, Edwin".
"Get well soon, Edwin. The entire world is thinking of you," the Serie A account added. Van der Sar spent two seasons in the Italian top tier, representing Juventus, and also spent several years with Fulham immediately before his Old Trafford stint.
This is the second time that the Van der Sar family has been affected in this manner. In December 2009, almost 14 years ago, his wife Annemarie suffered a brain haemorrhage during Van der Sar's time as No.1 at Old Trafford.
