Maarten Stekelenburg has admitted that he is in his ‘final season’ at Everton with the veteran goalkeeper set to become a free agent at the end of the campaign, speaking to Voetbal International.
At the age of 37, an experienced Dutchman is most certainly in the autumn of his career.
And, having made just five appearances for The Toffees since the start of the 2017/18 season, who can blame him for prioritising regular first-team football before he hangs up his boots?
Speaking in the Dutch media on Wednesday, Stekelenburg has pretty much confirmed that he will be bidding farewell to Merseyside this summer as he weighs up his next move.
“I’m here in my fourth and final season, because my contract is about to expire. I may be 37, but I haven’t been as fit in years. I’ve never talked about quitting. I am now orienting myself to my future,” says Stekelenburg, who is hinting heavily at a return to his homeland.
“I am now entering a phase of life in which other things are also important. It is not only about me, but also about my family. I played abroad for nine years.
“I have learned from it, but now the time has come to return to the Netherlands. If the picture is correct, I’d like to continue (playing).”
The Liverpool Echo reported today that Stekelenburg, who became the first signing of the Ronald Koeman era back in 2016, is set to sign a short-term contract which will keep him at Goodison Park until the current campaign reaches it’s conclusion.
Though if the 2010 World Cup runner-up wants to make one final appearance for The Toffees, he will be relying on another howler from the increasingly unconvincing Jordan Pickford.
Then again, few will be betting against that happening.
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