Internationally capped for Denmark 128 times, he won Euro 92 and reached the World Cup quarter-finals in 1998.
He was born in Gladaxe, Denmark and started his career at Hvidovre IF before moving to Brondby, where he attracted the attention of Manchester United's scouts.
Schmeichel arrived at United in the summer of 1991 in a £600,000 deal and immediately made an impact at Old Trafford.
The Dane's shot-stopping skills and authoritative presence between the sticks helped United become the dominant force in English football.
Schmeichel collected five league championships and three FA Cups during his eight-year stint at Old Trafford.
But his finest moment came when he captained the side in their 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich in Barcelona.
A dramatic victory in the Nou Camp sealed a historic treble in his final game for the club.
He left the English game in 1999 to join Sporting Lisbon and had an immediate impact, helping them into the Champions League.
Peter returned to the Premiership last summer with Aston Villa and will play for newly-promoted Manchester City next season.