Sander Westerveld

Sander Westerveld (born October 23, 1974) is a Dutch soccer player born in Enschede, the Netherlands. His position is goalkeeper and he currently plays for Portsmouth F.C.

Career information

His first professional match was for the Enschede club FC Twente in 1994. After two seasons at Enschede he moved to Vitesse Arnhem where in the course of three seasons, he developed into a goalkeeper of national stature.

Related Topics:
FC Twente - Vitesse Arnhem

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Following the 1998/1999 season, he earned himself a transfer to Liverpool, where he succeeded David James. In the two seasons he was with the Liverpool club, he was often subjected to criticism from the media. After a major mistake in a game against Bolton Wanderers he was put on the bench by then-manager Gerard Houllier, who promptly signed two new goalkeepers - the Polish international Jerzy Dudek (who became a Champions League-winning hero) and the injury-prone but impressive Englishman Chris Kirkland. A move to Spanish side Real Sociedad followed and in July 2005 he moved back to England being signed by Alain Perrin at Portsmouth where he will be first choice ahead of Jamie Ashdown and Greek keeper Konstantinos Chalkias.

Related Topics:
Liverpool - David James - Liverpool - Criticism - Media - Bolton Wanderers - Gerard Houllier - Jerzy Dudek - Chris Kirkland - Real Sociedad - Alain Perrin - Jamie Ashdown - Konstantinos Chalkias

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Westerveld's talents are obvious, though. He is a solid keeper with decent reflexes, he is impressive in the way he comes out of the goalmouth and he has a sound kicking technique.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~