Newcastle United goalkeeper Steve Harper has paid tribute to Manchester United counterpart Edwin van der Sar.
Having confirmed his retirement plans, Van der Sar will be playing at St James' Park for the last time this season.
"He (van der Sar) is a legend," Harper told nufc.co.uk.
"He's been outstanding wherever he's been, and I think Sir Alex said he wishes he had signed him in 1999 when (Peter) Schmeichel left. What better compliment than that?
"And to still be doing it week in, week out at 40 is testament to him. I think it's a fantastic decision by him to retire at the top, because he is still very much at the top of his game."
