Former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has penned an open letter to the club's fans after Donny van de Beek completed his move from Ajax on Wednesday.
CEO of the Dutch club, van der Sar, who spent six seasons of his illustrious playing career at Manchester United, has sought to communicate with fans of the English club directly after Donny van de Beek's transfer was completed.
"I hope you are doing well," reads the letter printed in Thursday's edition of the Manchester Evening News.
"It seems our paths have crossed again. One of ours is joining you this season. And like so many players before him, he's been with us since he was just a little boy."
Chuffed to have been remotely involved in this: Edwin Van der Sar’s open letter to United fans in today’s Manchester Evening News about Donny van de Beek @AFCAjax #mufc pic.twitter.com/9u3zenvLn7
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) September 3, 2020
Signed for a reported fee of €45 million including add-ons, van der Sar's letter demonstrates the extent to which the 23-year-old midfielder was more than just a player at Ajax.
"Shortly after his debut," the letter reads, "he became one of our best. Especially the last couple of years were amazing. From the Europa League Final (no hard feelings) to our Champions League fun and winning the Dutch Championship.
"The team he was part of showed the world who we are and what Ajax stands for.
"Like you, we pride ourselves on being one of the best at developing talent and giving young players a shot at the highest level. You could say your new star is an embodiment of that pride."
Suits you, @Donny_Beek6 😉👍#MUFC pic.twitter.com/qlvxXHLXdO
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 2, 2020
During his illustrious playing career, van der Sar was a Champions League winner with both Ajax and Manchester United.
After leaving the Dutch club, he played with Juventus and Fulham before joining Alex Ferguson's side in 2005 where he became a crucial component of a side that would win all around it.
"That's one of the many reasons we don't like to see him leave," he admits, "but we understand it's time for him to move on. To dream on.
"And where better to do so than in your theatre. Trust me, I know. Please take good care of our Donny, and help him dream. Enjoy the future."
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