Edwin van der Sar: Former Netherlands goalkeeper out of intensive care

Former Netherlands goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has been moved out of intensive care following a bleed on the brain.

The ex-Manchester United and Ajax player, Edwin Van der Sar, 52, was taken to hospital while on holiday in Croatia before being transferred to a Dutch hospital.

"I'm happy to share that I'm no longer in the intensive care unit," Van der Sar said in a statement released by Ajax.

"However, I'm still in hospital. I hope to go home next week and take the next step in my recovery."

There was an outpouring of goodwill messages to Van der Sar after news of his condition broke on 7 July and he expressed his gratitude in the latest update.

"We want to thank everyone for all the great and supportive messages," he added.

Manchester United were among the clubs who sent a message of support for their former goalkeeper, tweeting: "Sending all our love and strength to you, Edwin."

Fulham, with whom Van der Sar spent four years before joining United, tweeted: "Everyone at Fulham Football Club wishes Edwin a speedy recovery. We're thinking of you."

The Professional Footballers' Association tweeted: "The thoughts of everyone at the PFA are with Edwin and his family."

Van der Sar won the Premier League four times during his six years at United, as well as the Champions League in 2008, which he also lifted while at Ajax.

After retirement, he returned to Ajax where he took up the role of chief executive in 2016 but left the post at the end of last season.

Van der Sar, who won 130 caps for his country, resigned from his role as Ajax chief executive in May after the side finished third in the Dutch league and failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2009.

He retired from playing after leaving United in 2011 before joining the Ajax board in 2012, and becoming the club's chief executive in 2016.

Van der Sar made 266 appearances for the Red Devils and helped them to win four Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League. He also played for Fulham and Juventus.