Player profile

Stekelenburg is the Netherlands’ undisputed number one, filling the gloves vacated by Holland’s most capped player of all time, Edwin van der Sar. At 6ft 4in, he has in the past been criticised for not dealing well with crosses, but has shown a dramatic improvement in recent seasons. He became the first Dutch keeper ever to receive a red card when he was sent off against Australia in a September 2008 friendly.

The 27-year-old was an unused squad member at the 2006 World Cup, and made one appearance (v Romania) at Euro 2008.

First-choice at Ajax for the last five seasons, Stekelenburg joined the club as a 15-year-old and made his first-team debut in 2002 at the age of 19. He made the number one shirt his own in 2005/06 and was named the Amsterdam club’s top player in 2007/08. He briefly lost his first-team place during the 2008/09 season through injury and loss of form but reclaimed the number one shirt under Martin Jol at the beginning of this season. He won the Dutch league title in 2004 and the Dutch Cup in 2006 and 2007.

Stekelenburg is reportedly deaf in one ear. He played as a centre-back and forward in his youth before switching position.