Time up for former Crystal Palace and Sunderland defender at Sparta Rotterdam? | OneFootball

It looks like time may well be up for defender Patrick van Aanholt at Sparta Rotterdam. The 35-year-old was not in the squad for the sides recent clash with Heracles and the sides head coach, Maurice Steijn, has indicated that van Aanholt is now the third choice in his position at the club. Steijn confirmed that the former Crystal Palace and Sunderland defender is behind Teo Quintero and Mike Kleijn.

Van Aanholt joined Sparta 14 months ago and initially played a decent amount. Last season he made 21 appearances and so far this year he has played 12 times, contributing one goal and three assists. However, he is now outside of the squad looking in and may well be considering his future. The defender started his career with Chelsea but never made more than eight appearances for the club. After loan spells with Coventry, Newcastle, Leicester and Wigan he left to join Sunderland.

The defender made 95 appearances for Sunderland over a handful of seasons, scoring eight goals. He then moved to Crystal Palace, the side he played most for during his career. Van Aanholt played 134 games for Crystal Palace, scoring 14 goals and providing six assists. After leaving Crystal Palace he spent time with Galatasaray and then PSV before joining Sparta.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson