Footballer Edwin van der Sar has said he is now out of intensive care – in what was his first direct communication with fans since suffering bleeding around the brain.

Previously his wife Annemarie van Kesteren and his former football club Ajax had given updates on his condition.

The ex-Manchester United and Netherlands goalkeeper announced on social media on Tuesday evening he had been released from an intensive care unit.

He added he was still in the Dutch hospital where he has been treated.

Van der Sar also said he hoped to return home next week in “the next step in my recovery”.

In posts on Twitter and Instagram, he included a photograph of himself sitting up in a hospital bed with his arm around his wife.

The 52-year-old wrote on Twitter: “I’m happy to share that I’m no longer in the intensive care unit. However, I’m still in hospital. I hope to go home next week and take the next step in my recovery!”

Former Manchester United star Edwin van der Sar remains in intensive care with condition ‘still concerning’

Former Man Utd goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar in intensive care after suffering bleed around brain

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On his Instagram post, he wrote the same message and also thanked all the fans who sent him messages of support.

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He was taken to hospital in Split on 7 July after suffering bleeding around the brain while on holiday in Croatia, before he was moved to a hospital back in his homeland.

During his career, he played for Ajax, Juventus and Manchester United, and made 130 appearances for the Netherlands.

He won the Champions League at both Ajax and United, including the latter in 2008 after a penalty shootout.

Van der Sar, who retired from playing in 2011, was Ajax director general until he stepped down at the end of last season, saying he was exhausted after more than a decade on the club’s board.

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