Tim Krul

Timothy Michael "Tim" Krul (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈtɪm ˈkrʏl]; born 3 April 1988) is a Dutch footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Premier League club Newcastle United and the Netherlands national team.

Newcastle United

Krul began his career at hometown club RAS and later at local Eredivisie club ADO Den Haag. He joined Premier League club Newcastle United in the summer of 2005 on a three-year deal after failing to sign professional terms. ADO demanded a compensation fee and objected with the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC). The DRC denied the claim and ADO took the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The CAS ruled in February 2007 in favor of ADO ordering Newcastle to pay €220,000 as compensation for the transfer.

He played in the Under-17 European Championship for the Netherlands in Italy in May 2005 and eventually made the step up to the Dutch under-21 squad. He made his first senior appearance for Newcastle in a pre-season defeat to PSV Eindhoven on July 29, 2006.

Following the injury to Newcastle's first-choice goalkeeper, Shay Given, Krul was on the bench for a few games as back-up to second-choice Steve Harper. Krul made his Newcastle debut in the UEFA Cup game on November 2, 2006, away to Palermo. His debut was hailed by critics as he displayed his shot-stopping abilities, saving efforts from Giuseppe Biava and David Di Michele and recording a clean sheet in the process.

He injured himself in the warm up prior to the second leg tie against Palermo and then aggravated that injury in the warm up before a game against Watford. He required two cartilage operations as a result, keeping him out of action for almost 6 months. He returned to action in April 2007.

On 13 June 2007, he signed a new four year contract with Newcastle. In the same month, he was part of the Dutch Under-21 squad that won the European Championships and also qualified for the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Falkirk

On 3 August 2007, Krul joined Scottish side Falkirk on loan originally until 1 January 2008, though it was later extended until the end of the season after a number of impressive performances. The following day he made his debut for Falkirk and kept a clean sheet as the team won 4–0 against Gretna.

In the two games immediately following his debut, he conceded 4 goals against Celtic and 7 goals against Rangers at Ibrox. Krul was sent off for the first time in his professional career on 2 January 2008, after reacting badly to an opponent's challenge. Shortly afterwards he was injured, suffering a dislocated shoulder during a Scottish Cup defeat against Aberdeen, and resulting in him missing the rest of the season.

Return to Newcastle

Krul returned to Newcastle as the backup goalkeeper to first choice Steve Harper. He made his senior league debut on 8 August 2009 in the first Football League Championship game of the season away to West Bromwich Albion, coming on as a half time substitute for the injured Harper and making a string of world class saves in a 1–1 draw. Following this match, The Guardian called him "an excellent reserve goalkeeper". He later played the full Football League Cup match against Huddersfield Town, on 26 August 2009, in which Newcastle won 4–3. Krul also started the 2–0 league cup defeat to Peterborough, where despite being on the losing side he put on an impressive performance. Against Swansea City on 28 November he again came on to replace the injured Steve Harper at half time. On January 2 he played in the FA Cup Third Round tie against Plymouth Argyle, the game ending 0–0. He then played in the replay at St James' Park on January 13 and went on to win the match 3–0. Krul started his first league game for Newcastle on 2 May 2010 on the last day of the Championship campaign against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road and kept a clean sheet. In July 2010 Krul signed a new 4 year contract with Newcastle.

Krul made his Premier League debut for Newcastle on 18 September 2010 against Everton at Goodison Park, coming on as a substitute in the 35th minute for the injured Steve Harper in a match that ended in a 1–0 win for The Magpies. He made his first Premier League start on 26 September against Stoke City at St James' Park. He continued playing against Manchester City in a 2–1 loss, Wigan Athletic in a 2–2 draw and in the 2–1 away win to West Ham United before starring in his first Tyne-Wear derby which Newcastle won 5–1 and in a 1–0 away win at Arsenal a week later, pulling off some good saves in the process.

Following his good performances, Alan Pardew gave him more chances in goal. He eventually became first choice and Harper was sent on loan to Brighton. He started the 2011-12 season well, keeping clean sheets in the first two matches of the season against Arsenal and Sunderland. On 3 December 2011, Krul made his 50th Newcastle appearance against Chelsea, he saved a Frank Lampard penalty and made several other impressive saves, however Newcastle still went on to lose the game 3-0.

International Career

Krul represented the Netherlands national football team at U17 level at the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Peru. He represented the U21's at the 2008 Toulon Tournament and was a regular in the side for the 2011 European Championship qualifying campaign. On 4 June 2011, Krul made the starting eleven for the Netherlands in a friendly against Brazil, his first cap at senior level. He went on to keep a clean sheet, pulling off a string of decent saves in a 0–0 draw. He played his second match for the international team four days later against Uruguay in a 3–4 penalty shoot-out loss, after the match finished 1–1 after 90 minutes.