Overview
Tim Krul, born Maarten Tim Krul on April 3, 1988, in Den Haag, Netherlands, is a professional football goalkeeper renowned for his extensive career in European football. Standing at 1.88 meters (6 ft 2 in), Krul established himself as a prominent figure, particularly in the Premier League, over more than a decade. His career trajectory has seen him develop from a promising youth talent into a seasoned professional, known for his leadership and experience between the posts. Krul's journey has taken him from his native Netherlands to England, where he spent the majority of his playing days, before a recent return to the continent.
Position
As a goalkeeper, Krul's primary role involves protecting his team's goal. This encompasses a range of responsibilities, including shot-stopping, commanding his penalty area, organizing the defensive line, and initiating attacks with distribution from the back. Over his career, Krul has consistently demonstrated proficiency in these core goalkeeping attributes, adapting his style to various tactical setups and league demands. His stature provides a commanding presence, while his agility has allowed him to make crucial saves.
Identity
Krul's identity as a goalkeeper is defined by his reliability and a notable ability to perform under pressure, particularly in penalty shootouts. He has often been described as a traditional, authoritative goalkeeper, capable of making game-changing saves. His calm demeanor and experience have made him a valuable asset to his teams, often acting as a vocal leader from the back. Throughout his career, Krul has been a consistent performer, demonstrating the longevity and adaptability required to compete at the highest levels of football.
Career path
Tim Krul began his footballing journey in the youth ranks of his hometown club, ADO Den Haag, before moving to English club Newcastle United in 2005. This move marked the beginning of a long and significant association with the Tyneside club, where he would spend over a decade. His progression through Newcastle's academy system culminated in his senior debut, and he gradually established himself as the club's first-choice goalkeeper.
Newcastle United (2005–2017)
Krul joined Newcastle United's academy in July 2005 from ADO Den Haag, initially signing a professional contract in 2006. He made his competitive debut for the club in a UEFA Cup tie against Palermo on November 2, 2006, keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 victory [Transfermarkt]. Over the years, Krul cemented his place as Newcastle's number one, particularly after the 2010-11 season. He became known for his acrobatic saves and consistent performances in the Premier League. His tenure at Newcastle included the club's fifth-place finish in the 2011-12 Premier League season, securing qualification for the UEFA Europa League. During his time at St James' Park, Krul made over 160 league appearances for the Magpies [Wikipedia].
Loan Spells and Subsequent Moves (2016–2017)
Towards the end of his Newcastle career, Krul had loan spells away from the club. In August 2016, he joined Dutch Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar on a season-long loan, making 16 appearances [Transfermarkt]. He then moved to Brighton & Hove Albion on loan in August 2017 before making a permanent switch to the club in September 2017 after his contract with Newcastle was mutually terminated [Transfermarkt]. He spent one season at Brighton, primarily as a backup goalkeeper.
Norwich City (2018–2023)
In July 2018, Krul signed for Norwich City, where he experienced a resurgence in his career. He quickly established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper and played a pivotal role in Norwich's Championship title-winning campaigns in 2018-19 and 2020-21, which secured promotion to the Premier League [Wikipedia]. His performances earned him significant praise, and he became a fan favorite at Carrow Road. Krul made over 160 appearances for the Canaries across all competitions during his five-year spell.
Luton Town (2023–2024)
Following his departure from Norwich, Krul joined newly promoted Premier League side Luton Town in August 2023 [Transfermarkt]. He provided experienced cover and competition in the goalkeeping department during their maiden Premier League season.
Return to the Netherlands (2024–Present)
In May 2024, Krul returned to his home country, signing with Eredivisie club FC Volendam [Transfermarkt]. This move marked a new chapter in his career, bringing his extensive experience back to Dutch football.
Playing style
Tim Krul's playing style is characterized by a blend of traditional goalkeeping strengths and an increasing adaptability to modern demands. His fundamental attributes revolve around his shot-stopping ability, command of the penalty area, and effective distribution.
Shot-Stopping
Krul has consistently demonstrated strong shot-stopping reflexes throughout his career. He is particularly adept at reacting quickly to close-range efforts and has a knack for making crucial saves that keep his team in games. His athleticism, despite his height, allows him to get down quickly for low shots and stretch for efforts aimed at the top corners. Data from platforms like Sofascore often highlight his save percentage in various seasons, indicating his reliability in this key area [Sofascore].
Command of Area and Aerial Ability
Standing at 1.88 meters, Krul possesses a commanding presence in his penalty box. He is confident in coming off his line to claim crosses and punches, relieving pressure on his defense. This aerial dominance is crucial in defending set pieces and preventing opponents from getting clear headers on goal. His ability to organize the defensive line and communicate effectively also contributes to his command of the area, making him a vocal leader from the back.
Distribution
While not a sweeper-keeper in the mold of some modern goalkeepers, Krul's distribution has evolved over his career. He is capable of accurate long passes to launch counter-attacks and has a reliable short passing game when playing out from the back. His decision-making regarding when to distribute long or short is generally sound, aiming to retain possession or quickly transition play. Statistics from platforms like FBref often track his pass completion rates and the types of passes he attempts, providing insight into his distribution patterns [FBref].
Penalty Saving
One of Krul's most distinctive traits is his formidable record in saving penalties. He has gained a reputation for his ability to read penalty takers and make crucial saves from the spot. This skill was famously highlighted during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where he was substituted on specifically for a penalty shootout against Costa Rica, saving two penalties to send the Netherlands to the semi-finals [FIFA.com]. This attribute makes him a valuable asset in knockout competitions and high-pressure situations, drawing comparisons to goalkeepers known for their penalty heroics.
Achievements & honours
Tim Krul's career has been marked by several significant team achievements, particularly during his time in English football. While individual accolades have been less frequent, his consistent performances have been instrumental in his teams' successes.
Club Honours
Krul has been a part of two Championship-winning teams with Norwich City, playing a crucial role in their promotions to the Premier League. These successes underscore his importance as a reliable presence between the posts for teams aiming for top-flight football.
| Club | Competition | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Norwich City | EFL Championship | 2018–19 |
| Norwich City | EFL Championship | 2020–21 |
International Achievements
While not winning major international trophies, Krul was a significant part of the Netherlands squad that achieved a third-place finish at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. His decisive contribution in the quarter-final penalty shootout against Costa Rica remains one of the most memorable moments of that tournament and his international career [FIFA.com].
Individual Recognition
Throughout his career, Krul has received recognition for his performances, often being named in team of the season selections for the Championship during Norwich City's promotion campaigns. His consistency and key saves have frequently earned him praise from managers, teammates, and football pundits.
International career
Tim Krul has represented the Netherlands at various youth levels before making his senior international debut. His journey with the Netherlands national team, often referred to as Oranje, has seen him participate in major tournaments and contribute significantly in key moments.
Youth International
Krul played for the Netherlands U17 team, participating in the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship, where the Dutch finished third [Wikipedia]. He also represented the U20 and U21 squads, gaining valuable experience in international competition before stepping up to the senior team.
Senior Debut and Early Caps
Krul made his senior international debut for the Netherlands on June 4, 2011, in a friendly match against Brazil, which ended in a goalless draw. He went on to earn several caps in friendly matches and qualifying campaigns, often serving as a reliable backup to the national team's primary goalkeepers.
2014 FIFA World Cup Heroics
His most notable international moment came during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. In the quarter-final match against Costa Rica, then-manager Louis van Gaal controversially substituted Krul on for Jasper Cillessen in the final minute of extra time, specifically for the impending penalty shootout. Krul saved two penalties, from Bryan Ruiz and Michael Umaña, securing the Netherlands' passage to the semi-finals [FIFA.com]. This performance cemented his place in Dutch football folklore and showcased his unique ability under extreme pressure.
Later International Appearances
Despite his World Cup heroics, Krul's international appearances remained somewhat limited due to strong competition for the goalkeeper spot. He continued to be part of various national team squads and earned a total of 8 caps for the Netherlands [Wikipedia], primarily in friendly matches and as a backup option for major tournaments.
What makes Tim Krul stand out
Tim Krul stands out in the football world primarily due to his exceptional penalty-saving ability and his longevity as a top-flight goalkeeper. His career has been a testament to resilience, adapting to different leagues and team dynamics while maintaining a high standard of performance.
His most iconic moment, the 2014 World Cup penalty shootout, epitomizes his unique skill set and mental fortitude. Being brought on as a specialist for such a high-stakes scenario and delivering under immense pressure is a rare feat in football. This particular instance highlights not only his technical ability to save penalties but also his psychological strength to handle the moment. Furthermore, his consistent performances, particularly during Norwich City's Championship winning seasons, showcased his leadership and reliability, proving he could be a cornerstone for a successful team.
"We knew Tim Krul was the best guy to stop penalties. He didn't play in the game, but he has a fantastic record." – Louis van Gaal, 2014 FIFA World Cup.