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.
GettyMeindert Postma used to be a midfield star for Heerenveen in Holland[/caption]
AFPMan Utd legend Ruud van Nistelrooy was one of his former team-mates[/caption]
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 ElfVoetbal, 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.
Getty – ContributorMuskrats are semi-aquatic rodents[/caption]