Biography

Maarten Stekelenburg

by Anchal Purbey,

Maarten Stekelenburg is widely known as a Dutch professional footballer who was born on 22 September 1982 in Harlem, Netherlands. He is an excellent goalkeeper currently playing for Fulham, an English club, and Netherlands national team. He has been trained in Ajax youth academy and is a popular name in the international football arena.

Maarten Stekelenburg's  Early life    

He had an early vision of his career and he was active in sports at a very young age. His practice initiated from his homeland. He went on to join Ajax Amsterdam at the age of fifteen gradually climbing higher pursuits and rank. He made his first debue with the Ajax in February 2002 wining the Dutch Super cup, his first trophy in the same year. He had appeared in 280 matches for Ajax playing in eleven seasons. He has won Dutch Eredivisie twice and three Dutch cups. He was also rewarded with the title Ajax Player of the year. He then moved to join AS Roma in August 2011.

Maarten Stekelenburg's Career

He debuted early in his career with Ajax winning Johan Cruyff-Schaal. He had won the Eredivisie championship appearing in total ten matches in 2004. He had now become the top choice as a goalkeeper for the Ajax. He had already established himself as a popular choice goalkeeper in 2005-2006 seasons. He had won KNVP Cup in 2006. He had also won Johan Cruyff-Schaal in 2006-2007 seasons. He won the second consecutive KNVP Cup in the same year. He was named the Ajax Player of the year in the year 2007-2008.

He was inflicted with injuries during the match in 2009-2009 seasons. He recovered very soon and surmounted even greater height under the new manager Martin Jol. He showered consistent performance in 2009-2010 playing all Eredivisie matches and Europe League games. He suffered from a finger injury during the season that terminated his presence for rest of the season. He appeared in 51 consecutive matches in 2010-2011 seasons. He had won the 2010-2011 Eredivisie on 15 May, 2011. He also won the Ajax player of the year for the second time in his career. He was transferred to Roma for the estimated fee of six million Euros in 1 August, 2011. He was the first Dutch player to ever play for an Italian team.

He debuted for the club on 11 September, 2011 playing against Cagliari. He later signed a four-year contract with Premier League club Fulham for an unrevealed fee on 3 June 2013. He debuted for the club against Sunderland on 17 August, mauled in the second half. He has played several friendly international matches. His first international debut for his homeland was against Liechtenstein on 3 September 2004 which they won with 3-0. He was also part of a friendly international match against Australia in September 2008.

Maarten Stekelenburg's Personal Life  

He is married to his lovely wife Kim Stekelenburg and has two children with her named Naud Stekelenburg and Sem Stekelenburg.

Maarten Stekelenburg's Awards And Achievements

He has been felicitated for his performance with different trophies such as AFC Ajax Player of the year 2008,2011, FIFA World cup runner-up 2010, Johan Cruijff shield 2002,2005,2006,2007 etc.

Maarten Stekelenburg's Other details

His height is 1.97 m and weight is 92 kg. His salary is 1.6 million Euros and belongs to a Dutch national, his Current teams are Fulham and Netherlands national team. He is a terrific Goal-keeper.  His current market value is £900k. His highest market value was £9.90m in 2011.