I played with Man Utd legend Ruud van Nistelrooy – but now I have a new career as a rat catcher

A FORMER footie star who played with Ruud van Nistelrooy has swapped victories for vermin - by becoming a RAT CATCHER. 

Midfielder Meindert Postma, 45, starred in Holland's Eredivisie for Heerenveen alongside the now Manchester United legend.

Postma then went on to have spells with fellow Dutch clubs Veendam and Cambuur after lining-up with Van Nistelrooy.

However, despite enjoying some success on the pitch, he decided to retire aged 24.

And he has spent the last 20 years battling muskrats.

The semi-aquatic rodents threaten reclaimed land in the north Netherlands, where they are classed an invasive species.

Speaking to , Postma said: “I was discovered too late as a professional footballer.

“I had trials with Werder Bremen. But they had doubts about my age, and thought I was too great a risk for the Bundesliga.

“I had a job delivering beer for Heineken, but gave it up to play for Heerenveen.

“I could have stayed on at Cambuur in 2001, but decided to quit football.

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“I went for an interview as a muskrat catcher, and they took me on despite 12 people applying for three jobs.

“After a month working alongside a colleague they let me go out on my own.

“Then there were 70 people doing this work in Friesland, but now there are just 35.”

Postma added: “Muskrats often make big nests under the ground that they reach via tunnels.

“A muskrat can shift a cubic metre of sand per year by digging.

“It often takes several days before you can catch one in a trap or a culvert.

“They need to be detected and killed as soon as possible.”

Postma made 23 senior appearances in all for his three clubs.