Van der Sar Leaving Ajax for Juventus
Copyright � 1999 Nando Media
Copyright � 1999 Agence France-Presse
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (May 27, 1999 11:01 a.m. EDT http://www.sportserver.com) - Edwin van der Sar, Ajax Amsterdam and Holland national team goalkeeper, kicked off a likely reshuffle of Europe's top netminders on Thursday by confirming that he is joining Italian Serie A side Juventus next season.
Van der Sar, 28, was the only current Dutch international remaining in the Ajax squad and the Dutch club did not say how much Juventus would pay, but sources put it at around $10 million.
"Ajax respects that he wants to take a further step in his career, but is sorry that one of the best 'keepers in the world is leaving the club," Ajax said in a statement, adding his decision to leave had been amicable.
The club did not say who would be replacing Van der Sar, who had a contract until 2001.
But four likely names have been mentioned: AZ Alkmaar's Dutch international Oscar Moons, Vitesse Arnhem's Sander Westerveld, Twente Enschede's Sander Boschker and Heerenveen's South African international Hans Vonk.
Westerveld has also been linked to England's Liverpool.
Van der Sar will replace Juventus' Italian international Angelo Peruzzi, who has been reported in Italian newspapers to be heading for Inter Milan, to be coached next season by former Juventus boss Marcello Lippi.
If that move happens, it is likely to leave Inter's Italian World Cup goalkeeper Gianluca Pagliuca looking for a new club while Ajax and newly-crowned European champions Manchester United are seeking new goalkeepers.
United's Danish goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel confirmed he would be leaving after the club's 2-1 win over Bayern Munich in Barcelona on Wednesday.
Van der Sar had been linked to United or to Italy's European Cup Winners' Cup champions Lazio, whose goalkeeper Luca Marchegiani is now 33 years old.
But instead, Van der Sar joins compatriot and midfielder Edgar Davids at Juventus and his move extends the long list of Dutch internationals playing abroad.
He was due to be presented at a news conference at Juventus's Delle Alpi stadium in Turin later on Thursday.
Van der Sar joined Ajax in 1989, helping the club to five Dutch championships, three domestic cup wins, UEFA cup success in 1992 and the European Cup title in 1995.
