Seaman, a 6’3” goalkeeper, was England’s No.1 for the best part of a decade.
The Rotherham-born stopper played at Peterborough United, Birmingham City and QPR before being signed for £1.3 million – a British record for a ‘keeper at the time – by George Graham at Arsenal in 1990.
‘Safe Hands’ would go on to become a Highbury legend, making 564 appearances and acting as the cornerstone of the famous Arsenal back-five that included Lee Dixon, Tony Adams, Steve Bould and Nigel Winterburn.
Marshalling the back line, Seaman helped the north Londoners win three League titles, four FA Cups, a League Cup and a European Cup Winners Cup during his 13 years with the club.
Having made ten appearances for the Under-21s, he made his England Senior debut in 1988, beginning an international career that would last 14 years.
By 1996 Seaman was unquestionably England’s first choice keeper and his grip on the No.1 jersey did not loosen as he represented the Three Lions at the next four major championships – two European Championships and two World Cups.
Arguably the highlight of his England career came in his first international tournament, Euro ’96. After saving Gary McAllister’s penalty against Scotland in the group stage, Seaman then made a crucial stop from Miguel Ángel Nadal to help clinch the quarter-final penalty shoot-out against Spain.
Sadly he was unable to recreate those heroics as England went out to Germany in the same manner in semis.
His final international tournament – the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan – ended in disappointment at the quarter-final stage. England were knocked out by eventual champions Brazil following a freak goal from Ronaldinho that saw Seaman beaten from almost 40 yards.
He drew a close to his international career the same year, having reached 75 caps.