Ex Fulham star and Man Utd legend Edwin van der Sar in Croatian hospital after suffering brain haemorrhage

Ex Fulham star and Manchester United legend Edwin van der Sar is being treated for a brain haemorrhage in intensive care at a Croatian hospital.

The former goalkeeper had been on holiday in Croatia with his family when the medical incident took place. The 52-year-old was airlifted to hospital on Friday afternoon and is in a stable condition.

Van der Sar recently left his role as CEO at Dutch side Ajax and the club confirmed the incident on Twitter. A statement read: "On Friday, Edwin van der Sar has had a bleeding around his brain. He’s currently in hospital in the intensive care unit and is in a stable condition.

"Once there is more concrete information, an update will follow. "Everyone at Ajax wishes Edwin a speedy recovery. We’re thinking of you."

Van der Sar played 154 times for Fulham between 2001 and 2005, having moved to the club from Juventus. The shot-stopper famously saved two penalties in one Premier League match against Aston Villa in his final season at Craven Cottage.

After leaving Fulham, the Dutchman went on to play for Manchester United where he won four Premier League titles, two League Cups and the Champions League - he is widely regarded as one of the best shot-stoppers to play in the Premier League.

Earlier this year, Van der Sar spoke to The High Performance Podcast about his time at Ajax over the past 12 months just days before leaving his role at the club.

The Dutch club struggled after manager Erik ten Hag left for the Red Devils last summer, sacking successor Alfred Schreuder and failing to qualify for next season's Champions League with a third-place Eredivisie finish.

In an official statement confirming his departure, van der Sar hinted at emotional struggles as 'an incredibly tough period' left him needing to 'get some distance and some rest'.

He had previously told The High Performance Podcast: "It's tough. Absolutely. It's really tough.

"That's the name of the game, performances make or break people. That applies for players, coaches and a CEO. I'm not used to anything else.

"The toughest thing is the doubts that people have in your ability. I have been doing this for 11 years, I'm not a novice. I think the organisation is strong, it has been stronger in the past.

"You have to every time think if your own qualities are enough for the organisation you're working. How much effort did you put into it? How much effort are you still willing to put into it? Is the connection still there with your staff and players? That's a constant situation.

"The way media or people are reacting to defeats or bad signings, commercial partners, everyone likes to think something. Sometimes people are talking loud on TV or putting anonymous stuff on the internet and that's not nice. You can put it out in the world and it's gone for you. You get attention for different or crazy opinions."