Dutch international all but certain to leave Fulham FC

EXCLUSIVE

Winnersports can reveal that Fulham goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg will be leaving Fulham in the summer irrespective of whether the club retain their Premier League status.

Stekelenburg arrived at Craven Cottage from Italian giants Roma in the summer with huge expectations placed on his shoulders and was believed to be an able replacement to the outgoing Mark Schwarzer. However, the Dutch international has been very disappointing for the Cottagers.

Although, admittedly the 31-year old has kept goal for a very poor Fulham side, he has not covered himself in glory with some horrible performances which have seen him concede a whopping 43 goals in just 19 appearances, managing to keep a meager 2 clean sheets.

As a result, the Dutchman has seen himself lose his number one spot between the sticks to David Stockdale recently.

While relegation is still a big possibility for the Cottagers, Winner Sports can reveal that the Stekelenburg and Fulham have to agreed to part ways in the summer irrespective of whether or not the club can retain their status in the English top flight.

It is clear to see that Stekelenburg is not entirely happy at Craven Cottage and the 31-year old seems to have regressed as a player during his time at the club, which has seen him lose his place in the Dutch National team as well.

With the Dutchman believed to be one of the top earners at the club, Fulham are also keen on cutting their losses and move the goalkeeper along in the summer.

It is believed that Stekelenburg is hoping to earn a move back to his boyhood club Ajax in the summer in a bid to revive his career but it remains to be seen whether the Dutch would take their former star back due to the presence of two fine young goalkeepers in Jasper Cillessen and Kenneth Vermeer currently in their ranks.