Maarten Stekelenburg has gone from World Cup finalist to back-up goalkeeper over the past five years, making him all the more determined to prove his worth at Southampton.
A long-term injury to England international Fraser Forster led Saints to this summer dip into the transfer market for a stop-gap number one, with the 32-year-old arriving on a season-long loan from Fulham last month.
It is a deal that seems to suit all parties after Stekelenburg’s 2013 move to Craven Cottage went sour, with Martin Jol’s sacking and the west Londoners’ relegation seeing him make a temporary switch to Monaco last term.
The Dutch goalkeeper spent much of that time in the principality on the bench, making the move to St Mary’s an important period for a player who started the 2010 World Cup final against Spain.
“Monaco was not frustrating – no, it was my escape from Fulham,” Stekelenburg said.
“It was at the end of the transfer window, it was my only way out. I knew the situation when I signed for Monaco.
“The goalkeeper (Danijel Subasic) did a fantastic season. I think I played nine games in total, so I knew the situation but I didn’t want to have one more year like that.
“I wanted to play and I get the chance here.
“I know my level, I know what I can do, but you also need a chance to show it.
“I am just happy with this chance here and hopefully I can continue like this.”
Stekelenburg certainly could not have asked for a better start to life at St Mary’s.
Facing countrymen Vitesse Arnhem in the Europa League, the goalkeeper kept a clean sheet as Saints returned to the continental stage with a 3-0 win.
“I think the result is fantastic,” he said. “The first 10, 15 minutes, we didn’t control the game.
“After that, we took the initiative, scored a good goal and then a penalty. I think after that we controlled the game.
“But I am happy with the clean sheet and the result.”
Stekelenburg is not looking too far ahead just yet – “we had a fantastic in the first game, so we have to finish it in the second” – but is excited about Southampton’s potential this term.
“This is a very nice team. They work their socks off for every minute, every second of the game.
“Hopefully we can get a nice season like last year,” he said.