Former Manchester United, Ajax and Netherlands star Edwin van der Sar has been admitted to hospital in Croatia after suffering a brain haemorrhage.
The ex-goalkeeper, 53, had been on holiday at the time. He was taken to hospital by helicopter, and former club Ajax have sent a message of support upon learning the news, with the first 24 hours considered crucial.
"On Friday, Edwin van der Sar has had a bleeding around his brain," Ajax's statement reads. "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 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.
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. 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. He was on holiday on a Croatian island when he suffered his brain haemorrhage.
"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.
