Premiership: Van der Sar relishes Fulham 'family'

Edwin van der Sar saluted the "family atmosphere" at Fulham when he was unveiled at a press conference.

The 30-year-old has signed a four-year contract after completing a reported £7m move from Juventus.

He compared the current set-up at Fulham with his Ajax days.

Van der Sar said: "It reminds me of eight or nine years ago at Ajax when the football was important but there was a nice friendly atmosphere.

"It's like a family here. I feel at home and I feel appreciated."

Juventus finished runners-up in the 2000-01 Serie A championship, but the recent big-money arrival of Parma's Italian international keeper Gianluigi Buffon at the Stadio delle Alpi jeopardised his future.

"It was not a nice ending of my career there (Juventus)," said van der Sar. "We had some arguments and it was a difficult period for me. I had to look for another club.

"I had the possibility to play for Fulham and there's a lot of potential here. The championship is not a realistic ambition this year but maybe in four years' time."

Fulham boss Jean Tigana said: "Edwin has played at the top level and it's very important to have a top class goalkeeper.

"My vision for the next season is to stay at the top level and I need three or four players who have played at the top level to do that."