On the 22nd June Saints announced that they had signed the 32 year old Dutch goalkeeper, Maarten Stekelenburg, on a year long loan from Fulham.
He started his career with Ajax, where he made his debut under Ronald Koeman, before spending two years in Italy in AS Roma. After a spell with then Premier League Fulham, the former Dutch international spent the 2014/15 campaign with AS Monaco.
While he has not had the best of times over the last couple of seasons, his pedigree should not be forgotten. He was excellent in goal for Holland during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Stekelenburg featured in all of the matches as they reached the World Cup Final, where they lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time. With support from Koeman and the Saints coaching team he now has the chance to recover his form, in the way that Artur Boruc and Kelvin Davis did before him.
Executive Director of Football of Les Reed commented: “Maarten is a goalkeeper with a wealth of top-level experience who will prove to be an important addition to the squad at this early stage of pre-season.
“While Fraser Forster’s rehabilitation is progressing well, adding Maarten to our squad alongside Kelvin Davis and Paulo Gazzaniga will give us strength in depth for what will be a busy season.
“Maarten enjoyed tremendous success in Holland with Ajax and on the international stage, playing in the 2010 World Cup final. His experience will be invaluable to us, especially with the arrival of European football.
Stekelenburg added: ”The last two years weren’t the best of my career. As they say in England: the best is yet to come.”
- Previous Club : Fulham
- Age : 32
- Nationality : Dutch
- 2015-16 News
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Saints win the last match of the season
In what was ultimately a party atmosphere, Saints qualified for the Europa League by finishing in 5th place, equal on points with Manchester United, but ahead on goal difference. That could change, with the Manchester United v AFC Bournemouth game abandoned. If ManU win, or draw the rearranged game, then Saints will finish 6th, which is still a Europa League qualifying place.
Heck of a way to end the season.
- Premier League
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- Europa League
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Saints won the Qualifying Round 3 against Vitesse 5-0 on aggregate.
In the Play Off Round Saints faced Danish Champions, Midtjylland. The first leg was played on Thursday 20th August at St.Mary’s, ending in a 1-1 draw.
The decisive return match was on Thursday 27th August in Denmark, which ended in a poor 1-0 loss and ultimate exit from the competition.
- The League Cup
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Saints drew MKDons away on Wednesday 23rd September, which ended in a straightforward 6-0 win.
The next round was on Wednesday, 28th October at home to Aston Villa. This was a more comfortable win than the scoreline suggests
The final outing in this season’s League Cup was at home when Saints were comprehensively thrashed by Liverpool
- The FA Cup
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Well, that was short and not very sweet.
Saints faced Crystal Palace in the 3rd round of the 2015/16 FACup, but lost 1-2 on the day.
- 2015-16 Signings
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Saints signed nine players this season. Two on loan and seven on long term contracts. Read more about them by clicking the button.
- Kelvin's Testamonial
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Kelvin is retiring after being central to the club's rise through the divisions. Saints awarded him that rare thing these days, a testimonial which enabled him to have a great evening with current and past colleagues, while raising a lot of money for charity.