Edwin van der Sar posts hugely encouraging update after spell in intensive care

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has been moved out of intensive care as he continues to recover from a brain bleed.

The 52-year-old was hospitalised after suffering a brain haemorrhage while on holiday in Croatia but, after being stabilised, was flown back to the intensive care unit in a Dutch hospital last week.

Van der Sar, who played for the Netherlands 130 times at international level and counts Ajax, Juventus and Fulham among his former clubs, has now taken to social media to post a hugely encouraging update.

In a post on Twitter, accompanied by a picture of Van der Sar and his wife, the Dutchman confirmed he is no longer in intensive care and is continuing to recover in hospital.

"First of all, we want to thank everyone for all the great and supportive messages," the post read.

"I’m happy to share that I’m no longer in the intensive care unit. However, I’m still in hospital. I hope to go home next week and take the next step in my recovery!"

Van der Sar stepped down from his position as Ajax's chief executive earlier this summer, after spending seven years in the role and 11 in total.

The Eredivisie giants are also where Van der Sar made a name for himself as a player, winning the Champions League in 1995 before moving on to Juventus. He made his way to the Premier League in 2001, joining Fulham, before joining up with Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

His contributions in goal helped United win four Premier League titles, a FIFA Club World Cup and the 2008 Champions League - a final that saw Van der Sar save Nicolas Anelka's sudden-death penalty in a shootout in Moscow.