John Karelse [1999 - 2003]
| Born | Kapelle | 0 / 0 / 0 | |
| Arrived | Nac Breda | 8 / 1999 | £750,000 |
| Debut | Southampton A | 15/08/99 | |
| Departed | Freed | 3 / 2003 | OOC |
| App - Gls | 3 / 0 | 0 |
An injury to Shay Given at the start of the 1999/00 season prompted Ruud Gullit to return to his homeland to sign 29 year-old John Karelse.
Forty eight hours later he was making his debut at The Dell where he suffered a traumatic time, conceding four goals in twenty minutes.
He bemoaned the lack of preparation but was honest enough to admit that he wasn't used to the "high ball" game favoured by many English clubs.
Unfortunately the next game was at home to Wimbledon and when he was beaten three more times Gullit dropped him and brought old favourite Tommy Wright back.
He would only play one more time; keeping a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw at Highbury later that season.