Ex-Ajax and Manchester United goalie Van der Sar leaves intensive care after bleed around his brain

Former Netherlands goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has been released from an intensive care unit in a Dutch hospital

Soccer Van der Sar Hospital (Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Former Netherlands goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has been released from an intensive care unit in a Dutch hospital and hopes to return home next week as he recovers from a bleed around the brain, he said Tuesday in an Instagram post.

“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 wrote next to a photo of him sitting up in a hospital bed with his arm around his wife, Annemarie.

The post was Van der Sar's first direct communication since suffering a bleed around the brain in Croatia on July 7 and being admitted to an intensive care unit in Croatia. Previously, his wife and Ajax had given updates on his condition.

The goalkeeper, who won the Champions League with Manchester United in 2008 after a penalty shootout, returned to the Netherlands last week.

In his Instagram post, he also thanked all the fans who sent him messages of support.

Van der Sar, 52, retired in 2011 after 130 appearances for his country and a club career that included Champions League wins with both Ajax and United.

He also won four Premier League titles with United and had spells with Fulham and Juventus.

He later took up a position on the Ajax board and stepped down as director general of the Amsterdam club at the end of the season, saying he was exhausted after more than a decade on the club's board.

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