Maarten Stekelenburg

Maarten Stekelenburg (born 22 September 1982) is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

Stekelenburg began his career at Ajax, playing 282 matches over nine seasons in his first spell there and winning nine honours, including two Eredivisie titles.

He went on to play for Roma, Fulham, Monaco, Southampton and Everton.

He made his official debut for Ajax on 24 February 2002, in a match against NAC Breda.

At the start of the 2002–03 season, he won his first silverware when Ajax won the Johan Cruyff Shield.

Stekelenburg made his debut for the Netherlands national team in 2004, and earned 63 caps in total.

In 2004, he and Ajax won the Eredivisie, having played ten matches that season.

Stekelenburg became the first choice goalkeeper at Ajax in the 2005–06 season and won his first KNVB Cup.

He was understudy to Edwin van der Sar at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2008, then was first choice as he helped his nation to the final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, also playing at Euro 2012 and Euro 2020.

Stekelenburg began his career at Zandvoort '75 before joining VV Schoten, which he left for Ajax when he was 15 years old.

At the start of the 2006–07 season, he won his second Johan Cruyff Shield, which he helped his team defend the next season, and later on in 2006–07, he won his second KNVB Cup.

Stekelenburg was named Ajax "Player of the Year" for the 2007–08 season, succeeding Wesley Sneijder.

During the 2008–09 season, he lost his place in the goal to Kenneth Vermeer due to injuries.

He re-established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper under new manager Martin Jol and subsequently had a very strong season for both Ajax and the Dutch national side.

During the 2009–10 season, Stekelenburg went on to have a consistent season, playing in all of Ajax's Eredivisie and Europa League matches, the latter after they were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League in the group stage.

However, Stekelenburg sustained a finger injury which kept him out for the remainder of the season.

He made a total of 51 appearances in the 2010–11 season in all competitions.

After winning the 2010–11 Eredivisie on 15 May 2011, Stekelenburg dropped the trophy while standing on top of the Ajax team coach with Jan Vertonghen.

He won Ajax Player of the Year for the second time.

On 1 August 2011, it was announced Stekelenburg had officially transferred to Roma for a €6.325 million transfer fee plus bonuses, making him the first Dutch footballer to ever play for the Italian club.

He picked the number 24 shirt, which is the day his son was born.

He made his debut on 11 September 2011, against Cagliari.

On 3 June 2013, Roma sporting director Franco Baldini confirmed he had finalised a deal with Premier League club Fulham for the sale of Stekelenburg.

Two days later, on 5 June, Fulham announced Stekelenburg had signed on a four-year contract for an undisclosed transfer fee; Roma later disclosed the fee was €5.6 million.

He made his debut on 17 August in a 1–0 win away to Sunderland; however, he came off injured in the second half and was replaced by David Stockdale.

He returned on 21 October at a win against Crystal Palace, but went on to lose the next four starts in a row.

Following the sacking of René Meulensteen as Fulham manager, Stekelenburg was dropped to the bench in favour of Stockdale by Felix Magath, and following Fulham's relegation and Stockdale's departure, lost his place in the squad altogether, as Magath favoured Jesse Joronen and Marcus Bettinelli.

On 9 August 2014, Stekelenburg joined French club Monaco on a season-long loan.

With Danijel Subašić as Monaco's starting goalkeeper, Stekelenburg was preferred for cup matches, making his debut in the round of 16 of the Coupe de la Ligue away to Lyon on 17 December.

After a 1–1 draw at the Stade de Gerland, he helped Monaco win 5–4 in a penalty shootout by saving from Jordan Ferri.

In the semi-finals on 4 February 2015 against Bastia at the Stade Louis II, it again went to penalties after a goalless draw.

He saved from Guillaume Gillet and Giovanni Sio, but Monaco were eliminated nonetheless.

His sole Ligue 1 appearance came on 22 March away to Reims, a 3–1 victory.

On 1 June, the club announced Stekelenburg would return to Fulham after his season-long loan expired.

On 22 June 2015, Southampton signed Stekelenburg on a season-long loan from Fulham.

He made his debut for the club on 30 July in the third qualifying round of the season's Europa League, a 3–0 win over Vitesse at St Mary's Stadium.

He made his Premier League debut for the Saints in a 2–2 draw away to Newcastle United on the opening day of the 2015–16 Premier League season.

On 1 July 2016, Everton, managed by compatriot Ronald Koeman, announced they had signed Stekelenburg from Fulham on a three-year contract, for an undisclosed transfer fee.

He made his debut on 13 August as the Toffees began their campaign with a 1–1 home draw against Tottenham Hotspur, and on 15 October, he saved penalties from Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Agüero to ensure the same result away to Manchester City.

He returned to Ajax after the expiry of his contract at Everton following the 2019–20 Premier League season.