Former Arsenal goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal has signed for Spanish club Atletico Madrid. Sari left the Gunners at the end of last season at the expiration of her contract, having lost her place to Pauline Peyraud-Magnin in goal.
Sari’s departure was announced at the end of last season, but her new club remained a secret. van Veenendaal won the Golden Gloves award for goalkeeper of the tournament at this summer’s World Cup, where the Netherlands side she captained reached the final.
? FICHAJE
?⚪? ¡@SarivVeenendaal ya es rojiblanca! ?
?? La internacional holandesa, mejor guardameta del pasado @FIFAWWC, refuerzo de lujo para nuestra portería.
¡Bienvenida a la gran familia atlética! ?
? https://t.co/pDQKoE66M8#AúpaAtleti #BienvenidaSariVanVeenendaal pic.twitter.com/0t6ThnLJEE— At. Madrid Femenino (@AtletiFemenino) July 20, 2019
Sari spent a total of four years in North London, winning two Conti Cups, an FA Cup and a league title at the club. Best of luck to Sari in Spain.
Best of luck Sari.
I always thought she looked a little tenative in Gunners shirt I really don’t know why but certainly her performance in the World Cup showed her at her full potential and made me question why Joe didn’t renew her contract in a flash.
Did Joe really decline to renew? I thought she was the one who decided to move on, not wanting to be a number 2. Can’t blame her if so. Sometimes you just have two great keepers at a club at over time and something’s got to give. All the best to her.
Good luck Sari. Always a good shot stopper but perhaps a little unsure with the ball at her feet. Probably not the type of sweeper-keeper to fit the Joe system.