Tim Krul facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Tim Krul

Krul training with the Netherlands in 2014
Personal information
Full name	Timothy Michael Krul
Date of birth	(1988-04-03) 3 April 1988 (age 37)
Place of birth	The Hague, Netherlands
Height	1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team	Luton Town
Number	23
Youth career
	Hvv RAS
1996–2005	ADO Den Haag
2005–2006	Newcastle United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2006–2017	Newcastle United	160	(0)
2007–2008	→ Falkirk (loan)	22	(0)
2008–2009	→ Carlisle United (loan)	9	(0)
2016–2017	→ Ajax (loan)	0	(0)
2016–2017	→ Jong Ajax (loan)	6	(0)
2017	→ AZ (loan)	16	(0)
2017	→ Brighton & Hove Albion (loan)	0	(0)
2017–2018	Brighton & Hove Albion	0	(0)
2018–2023	Norwich City	163	(0)
2023–	Luton Town	0	(0)
International career
2002	Netherlands U15	1	(0)
2004	Netherlands U16	1	(0)
2004–2005	Netherlands U17	19	(0)
2006–2007	Netherlands U19	6	(0)
2008–2009	Netherlands U20	4	(0)
2009–2011	Netherlands U21	12	(0)
2011–2021	Netherlands	15	(0)
Medal record Men's football Representing  Netherlands FIFA World Cup Third 2014 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Winner 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup Third 2005 UEFA European Under-17 Championship Runner-up 2005
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18:29, 4 February 2023

Timothy Michael Krul (born 3 April 1988) is a Dutch professional footballer. He plays as a goalkeeper for the English club Luton Town. A goalkeeper's job is to stop the other team from scoring goals.

Krul started his football journey in youth clubs like RAS and ADO Den Haag. In 2005, he moved to Newcastle United in England. He made his first team debut in the UEFA Cup, keeping a clean sheet (meaning the other team didn't score). He later signed a new contract with Newcastle.

He also spent time on loan at other clubs like Falkirk and Carlisle United. A "loan" means a player temporarily plays for another team. When he returned to Newcastle, he became their main goalkeeper. He won awards and signed more contracts.

Later, Krul went on loan to Dutch clubs Ajax and AZ Alkmaar. This helped him play regularly while recovering from an injury. In 2017, Krul joined Brighton & Hove Albion, first on loan, then permanently. His career continued at Norwich City, where he was named the club's Player of the Season. He also helped Norwich win the EFL Championship twice.

Krul played for the Netherlands at different age levels since 2002. He played for the senior national team starting in 2011. He was part of the team that finished third at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He famously played in a penalty shootout during the quarter-final against Costa Rica.

Club Career Highlights

Starting at Newcastle United

Krul began his football career in his hometown at RAS and then at ADO Den Haag. In the summer of 2005, he joined Premier League club Newcastle United.

He made his first appearance for Newcastle in the UEFA Cup on 2 November 2006 against Palermo. He played very well, making great saves and keeping a clean sheet. This means Palermo did not score any goals against him.

After his debut, he got injured during warm-ups and needed two operations. He returned to playing in April 2007. In June 2007, he signed a new four-year contract with Newcastle. That same month, he helped the Dutch Under-21 team win the European Championships.

Loan Spells to Gain Experience

On 3 August 2007, Krul joined Scottish team Falkirk on loan. He played his first game for Falkirk the next day and kept another clean sheet as they won 4–0. Falkirk wanted to sign him permanently, but Newcastle said no.

He faced tough games, conceding many goals against strong teams like Celtic and Rangers. He also got his first red card in a professional game. Later, he dislocated his shoulder, which ended his season early.

On 21 November 2008, Krul joined Carlisle United on a one-month loan. This was to help them after their goalkeeper left. His loan was extended for another month before he went back to Newcastle.

Becoming Newcastle's Main Goalkeeper

Krul playing for Newcastle United in 2012

Krul returned to Newcastle as a backup goalkeeper. He made his first league appearance on 8 August 2009. He came on as a substitute when the main goalkeeper got injured. He played well, and a newspaper called him "an excellent reserve goalkeeper."

In July 2010, Krul signed a new four-year contract with Newcastle. He made his Premier League debut for Newcastle on 18 September 2010. He came on as a substitute and helped his team win 1–0. He then started more games and became the first-choice goalkeeper.

He started the 2011–12 season strongly, keeping clean sheets in the first two matches. On 3 December 2011, Krul played his 50th game for Newcastle. He saved a penalty kick in that game. In March 2012, Krul signed another five-year contract. At the end of the season, he won the Newcastle United Player of the Year award.

Krul playing for Newcastle United in 2015

For the 2012–13 season, Krul was given the number 1 jersey. He started the season well but then got an elbow injury while playing for his country. After recovering, he injured his ankle and then dislocated his shoulder. These injuries kept him out for much of the season.

Before the 2013–14 season, Krul returned to play. In November, he played very well, letting in only two goals. He kept clean sheets against Tottenham and Chelsea. His great performances earned him the Premier League Player of the Month award for November.

Loans Back to the Netherlands

On 25 August 2016, Krul signed a new contract with Newcastle. Then, he joined Ajax in the Netherlands on a season-long loan. This was to help him get back to playing regularly after his injury. He only played six games for their reserve team. In January 2017, he moved to another Dutch club, AZ Alkmaar, on loan for the rest of the season.

Time at Brighton & Hove Albion

On 31 August 2017, Krul joined Brighton & Hove Albion on a season-long loan. He reunited with his former Newcastle manager, Chris Hughton. He made his debut for Brighton in an EFL Cup game. The next day, he signed a permanent deal with Brighton, ending his twelve years with Newcastle. He left the club at the end of the season.

Success with Norwich City

Krul signed for Championship club Norwich City on 24 July 2018. He signed a new three-year contract in June 2019. Krul was named Norwich City's Player of the Season for the 2019–20 season. He was only the fifth goalkeeper to win this award.

Krul continued as Norwich's main goalkeeper for the 2020–21 season. He had a hamstring injury in November but returned to help Norwich win the Championship. This meant they were promoted back to the Premier League.

For the 2021–22 season, Krul was still the first-choice goalkeeper. However, he had more injuries and Norwich was relegated back to the Championship. In the 2022–23 season, he started as the main goalkeeper again. But he was eventually replaced by another player. He made his final appearance for Norwich in a game against Burnley.

Joining Luton Town

On 17 August 2023, Krul signed for Luton Town. This club had just been promoted to the Premier League.

International Career

Krul training with the Netherlands national team in 2015

Krul played for the Netherlands national team at different youth levels. He played for the Under-17 team in the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Cup. He also played for the Under-21 team.

On 4 June 2011, Krul played his first game for the senior Netherlands team in a friendly against Brazil. He kept a clean sheet in the 0–0 draw. He played his second game four days later against Uruguay.

In June 2014, Krul was chosen for the Netherlands' squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. In the quarter-final against Costa Rica, the coach, Louis van Gaal, made a special change. He brought Krul on as a substitute just for the penalty shootout. Krul saved two of the five penalties he faced, and the Netherlands won 4–3. This was the first time in World Cup history that a goalkeeper was brought on only for a penalty shootout.

Career Statistics

Club Appearances

International Appearances

Awards and Honours

Norwich City

• EFL Championship:
  • 2018–19 (won the league)
  • 2020–21 (won the league)

Netherlands U17 (Under-17 Team)

• UEFA European Under-17 Championship runner-up: 2005 (finished second)
• FIFA U-17 World Championship third place: 2005 (finished third)

Netherlands U21 (Under-21 Team)

• UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2007 (won the championship)

Netherlands (Senior Team)

• FIFA World Cup third place: 2014 (finished third)

Individual Awards

• Newcastle United Player of the Year: 2011–12
• Premier League Player of the Month: November 2013
• Norwich City Player of the Season: 2019–20
• PFA Team of the Year: 2020–21 Championship (chosen as one of the best players in the league)

See also

In Spanish: Tim Krul para niños