Van der Sar: I chose Juventus over Liverpool

Dutch great Edwin van der Sar admits he chose Juventus over Liverpool when leaving Ajax.

The Manchester United Champions League winner has recalled his experience in Turin.

He told La Gazzetta dello Sport: "I had two options: Liverpool or Juventus. I spoke to both clubs, then my heart drew me to Italy: Serie A was the best league in those years, Juventus was a historic club and had beaten us in the Champions League final in 1996.

"I liked the black and white shirt and was intrigued by the idea of playing for the team where a legendary goalkeeper like Zoff had played a key role."

Van der Sar continued: "At Juventus, there were many changes compared to the habits I had at Ajax, and there were just as many difficulties. I didn't play my best football, but I have no regrets: when a striker doesn't score or a goalkeeper doesn't save goals, it's part of the game to receive criticism. It was still a great experience living and playing in Italy."

His memories of the Juventus squad at the time are positive, adding: "The summer I arrived, all my teammates took me out to dinner: Ferrara, Iuliano, Zidane, Inzaghi, Zambrotta, Davids... The food in Turin's restaurants was excellent: at the end of the evening I'd take out my credit card, but I could never pay."