Van der Sar makes one-match comeback for boyhood club

Edwin van der Sar: Back in the game

Edwin van der Sar is to end his near five-year retirement to play for the club with which he started his career.

The 45-year-old goalkeeper has not played since the 2011 Champions League final between Manchester United and Barcelona, his 820th club match.

But on Saturday he is set to play for VV Noordwijk against Jodan Boys in the Hoofdklasse – the second highest amateur league in the Netherlands and the fourth overall.

Van der Sar spent five years with Noordwijk before moving to Ajax, with whom he began a glittering professional career.

He has answered an injury SOS to play for them and told De Telegraaf: “I was discovered here by Louis van Gaal and the ball started rolling, then I joined Ajax.

“I was asked ‘would you like to help us in this situation?’. I considered a lot of things but I would like to do it for Noordwijk.”

Speaking about the goalkeeper to De Bollenstreek, club director Peter Vink said: “We are thrilled Edwin wants to help out. After deliberation he agreed to keep goal next Saturday against Jodan Boys.

“We assume that it is basically only for one game.”