Edwin van der Sar will return to football this summer – well, sort of.<\/strong><\/p>\n The Dutch football legend has confirmed that he’s set to participate in Soccer Aid as the goalkeeper for the World XI team.<\/p>\n 4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> Taking place at Old Trafford<\/a> – the home of Manchester United<\/a> – on Sunday June 15, Van der Sar will be back in action at the age of 54.<\/p>\n It’s the second time that the goalkeeping hero has participated at Soccer Aid, having played for the Rest of the World XI in both 2012 and 2014.<\/p>\n In both games he has played the first 45 minutes before being replaced by Northern Irish presenter and comedian Patrick Kielty.<\/p>\n Van der Sar confirmed the news during his appearance on talkSPORT Drive with Andy Goldstein<\/a> and Darren Bent<\/a> and explained how delighted he was to return to Old Trafford.<\/p>\n He said: “It’s great, I’ve played twice at Soccer Aid before and it’s always been an amazing experience. <\/p>\n “You do it for UNICEF, you do it for the children and the cause that you are supporting but also a little bit for yourself. It’s great to be back at Old Trafford, on the pitch again and make a couple of quality saves. <\/p>\n “Hopefully it will be a great match for all the fans attending and who are watching it from the television.”<\/p>\n He added: “I really love that Leonadro Bonnucci is in, he’s only just retired. Nemanja Vidic is there and just the combination with celebrities – actors, magicians, chefs, whatever is a great experiences for us.”<\/p>\n Van der Sar’s return to Old Trafford will bring back fond memories after he spent six years as a Manchester United player.<\/p>\n Joining from Fulham<\/span> in 2006, the Dutch goalkeeper played 266 times for the Red Devils.<\/p>\n 4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> In that time he helped Sir Alex Ferguson<\/a>‘s side to four Premier League<\/a> titles, two League Cups and the Champions League which they won in 2008.<\/p>\n Van der Sar was the hero on that day, saving the decisive penalty from Nicolas Anelka<\/a> to secure the trophy.<\/p>\n He also played for Juventus<\/a> and won 130 caps for the Netherlands, while also winning four league titles and a Champions League with Ajax.<\/p>\n Van der Sar suffered a brain haemorrhage<\/a> when he fell ill while on holiday in Croatia in July 2023 but has since made a full recovery.<\/p>\n The 130-cap Netherlands international will be managed by Peter Schmeichel<\/a> who has been announced as part of the World XI management team.<\/p>\n 4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> 4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> He’ll play alongside Nadia Nadim, Diamond (from Gladiators), Gorka Marquez, Martin Compston, Leonardo Bonucci<\/span> and Tobi Brown with plenty more names to be announced.<\/p>\n As for the England team, they’ll be managed by Tyson Fury<\/a> and Wayne Rooney<\/a> who will be player\/manager for the occasion.<\/a><\/p>\n Their team will include Joe Hart<\/span>, Jill Scott<\/span>, Steph Houghton<\/span>, Gary Neville<\/span>, Paddy McGuinness, Sam Quek, Tom Grennan, Sam Thompson<\/span> and Sir Mo Farah<\/span> with more names still to be confirmed.<\/p>\n Tickets start from \u00a320 for adults and \u00a310 for juniors and can be found HERE.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/04\/van-der-sar-1.jpg?strip=all&w=826\")
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