Salvatore Sirigu

Salvatore Sirigu

Sirigu playing for Paris Saint-Germain in October 2015
Personal information
Full name Salvatore Sirigu
Date of birth (1987-01-12) 12 January 1987
Place of birth Nuoro, Italy
Height 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)
Playing position Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 Sevilla
(on loan from Paris Saint-Germain)
Number 25
Youth career
Venezia
Palermo
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2011 Palermo 69 (0)
2007–2008 → Cremonese (loan) 19 (0)
2008–2009 → Ancona (loan) 15 (0)
2011– Paris Saint-Germain 145 (0)
2016– → Sevilla (loan) 2 (0)
National team‡
2005 Italy U18 3 (0)
2005 Italy U19 2 (0)
2007–2009 Italy U21 3 (0)
2010– Italy 17 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 24 September 2016.

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22 June 2016

Salvatore Sirigu (Italian pronunciation: [salvaˈtore ˈsiriɡu]; born 12 January 1987) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Spanish club Sevilla FC on loan from Paris Saint-Germain and for the Italian national team.

Having begun his career with Palermo, he moved to PSG in 2011. Twice voted the Ligue 1 Goalkeeper of the Year, his honours at the club include four consecutive league titles, and all four domestic competitions in both the 2014–15 and 2015–16 seasons.

Since 2010 Sirigu has been a regular member of the Italian national team, and was selected for major tournaments such as UEFA Euro 2012, 2014 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2016, as well as the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Club career

Early career

Born in Nuoro, Sardinia, Italy, Sirigu started his football career in Venezia's youth system playing as a midfielder. He was known for his powerful back heels which he used to take penalty kicks. He had been training as an attacker for a local amateur side, Puri e Forti, at 11 years old, when coaches concluded that his asthma condition would hinder him too much as an outfield player. Instead, observing Sirigu’s unusually large hands, they told him to have a go in goal.[1]

In 2002, he joined Palermo's youth system. In the 2006-07 season he has been integrated in the first team squad and made his debut as a starter in a Coppa Italia match against Sampdoria and a UEFA Cup match against Fenerbahçe.

Loans to Cremonese and Ancona

Palermo loaned him to Serie C1 club Cremonese on 12 July 2007 in order to let him achieve some first team experience.[2]

He spent the 2008–09 season on loan to Serie B side Ancona,[3] but only played 15 games with his club, as Ancona managers Francesco Monaco, and later Sandro Salvioni, preferred Brazilian teammate Da Costa over him.

Palermo

Sirigu successively returned to Palermo as a second-choice keeper, behind new signing Rubinho, for the 2009–10 season. Following a string of unimpressive performances by Rubinho, Palermo coach Walter Zenga, himself a former goalkeeper who was noted for his ability, moved Sirigu in the starting role for the Week 6 game, an away match against Davide Ballardini's Lazio on 27 September 2009. The game, which also represented Sirigu's official debut in the Italian Serie A, ended in a 1–1 draw, with the young goalkeeper being nominated Man of the Match due to his numerous saves throughout the match.[4] He was subsequently confirmed for the following game, where Sirigu managed to keep a clean sheet in a 2–0 win against Serie A giants Juventus. Since then, Sirigu was regularly featured in the starting line-up and permanently confirmed as first-choice goalkeeper, leading the club to send Rubinho out on loan to Livorno later in January. Due to his performance during his time at Palermo, Sirigu earned the nickname "Walterino", a reference to his coach Walter Zenga, who is regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time.[5]

On 21 October 2009, Palermo announced to have agreed a contract extension with Sirigu, the new contract would have expired in June 2014.[6]

Sirigu's final appearance for Palermo came in the 2011 Coppa Italia Final against Internazionale at Rome's Stadio Olimpico. The Rosaneri were defeated 3–1 with Samuel Eto'o and Diego Milito scoring for the Milanese club.[7]

Paris Saint-Germain

Sirigu warming up for Paris Saint-Germain before a match against AS Saint-Etienne in January 2015.

On 28 July 2011, Sirigu signed a four-year contract with French club Paris Saint-Germain[8][9] for a transfer fee of €3.895 million.[10] Although initially signed as reserve for Nicolas Douchez, Sirigu started all 38 Ligue 1 matches during his first season at the club as PSG finished as runners-up to Montpellier HSC.[11]

On 27 January 2013, Sirigu broke Bernard Lama's clean-sheet record for a PSG goalkeeper in Ligue 1 (697 minutes).[12] He became the first foreign player to be named UNFP's goalkeeper of the season as PSG won the 2012–13 Ligue 1 championship.[13] Sirigu won the award for the second consecutive year in 2014,[14] with PSG defending their league title and winning the Coupe de la Ligue.[15]

On 2 August 2014, as PSG won the Trophée des Champions 2–0 against Guingamp at the Workers Stadium in Beijing, Sirigu saved a 32nd-minute penalty kick from Mustapha Yatabaré.[16] He signed a contract extension on 10 September of the same year, lasting until 2018.[17] Sirigu remained PSG's first choice goalkeeper in the 2014–15 season for Ligue 1 and UEFA Champions League matches, as the capital club won a domestic treble of the league championship, Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue, as well as reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League.[18]

After PSG completed the signing of German goalkeeper Kevin Trapp from Eintracht Frankfurt in July 2015,[19] deputy sporting director Olivier Letang announced that the club "would not stand in [Sirigu's] way" if he wished to leave Paris.[20] However, the player's agent denied that the player would leave the club.[21] Sirigu remained PSG's first choice goalkeeper in the Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue, winning both titles, with Trapp taking his place as the preferred choice in Ligue 1 and UEFA Champions League matches.[22] On 12 February 2016, Sirigu announced that he would have left PSG during the previous winter transfer window if "an important proposal had arrived",[23] although he ultimately remained with the club for the remainder of the season.

Loan to Sevilla

On 26 August 2016, Sirigu joined La Liga club Sevilla FC on a season-long loan.[24] He made his debut with the club in a 1–1 away draw against Eibar on 17 September.[25] A week later, he was sent off away to Athletic Bilbao for elbowing Aritz Aduriz, leaving midfielder Vicente Iborra to unsuccessfully face the former's penalty in a 3–1 loss.[26]

International career

Gianluigi Buffon and Sirigu at a press conference during Euro 2012

Sirigu had international experience at the youth level with the Under-18 and Under-19 teams.[27]

On 21 August 2007 he made his debut with the Italy U-21 squad in a friendly match against France. He took part at the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship as the back up of starter Andrea Consigli.

On 28 February 2010 he received his first call-up for the Italian national team for a friendly game versus Cameroon to be played at Stade Louis II, Monaco, but did not play. He was in Lippi's 28-man provisional 2010 FIFA World Cup squad, but was not included in the 23-man final squad.

Upon Cesare Prandelli taking the helm as national coach, Sirigu was named in his first squad list for the friendly against Côte d'Ivoire.[28] He made his international debut in that game losing 1–0, on 10 August 2010.[29] On 3 September, on his second cap, he played his first competitive match, a 2–1 away win against Estonia for Euro 2012 qualifying.[30] He was eventually selected to go to UEFA Euro 2012 as the third choice keeper of the Italian team, behind Gianluigi Buffon and Morgan De Sanctis.

For the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup he was selected as the second choice behind Buffon. Shortly before the tournament, on 31 May, he kept his first international clean sheet as Italy beat San Marino 4–0 in a friendly in Bologna.[30]

Sirigu was selected by Cesare Prandelli as his second-choice goalkeeper for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. However, Buffon received an ankle injury during training and Sirigu played the opening group game against England in Manaus on 14 June. He made several decisive saves which contributed to the 2–1 Italian victory.[31] Buffon returned to the team for the remaining two group games, which saw Italy eliminated.

On 31 May 2016, Sirigu was included in Antonio Conte's 23-man Italy squad for UEFA Euro 2016.[32] Due to a bout of fever suffered by starting keeper Buffon, Sirigu made his only appearance of the tournament on 22 June, in his nation's final group match, a 1–0 defeat to Ireland.[33]

Style of play

Regarded as one of the best Italian goalkeepers of his generation, Sirigu has long been considered as the possible 'heir-apparent' of Gianluigi Buffon as Italy's first-choice goalkeeper, due to his consistency, strength, composure, mentality, and reflexes.[34] Former Italy goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi has also praised Sirigu for his goalkeeping technique and ability to come off his line to collect the ball.[35]

Career statistics

Club

(Correct as of 21 April 2016)[36]
Club Season League Cup [nb 1] League Cup Europe Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Palermo 2006–07 0010–1[lower-alpha 1]0–20
Cremonese (loan) 2007–08 22020–––240
Ancona (loan) 2008–09 15000–––150
Palermo 2009–10 32010–––330
2010–11 37050–3[lower-alpha 2]0–450
Total 69070–40–800
Paris Saint-Germain 2011–12 38020001[lower-alpha 2]0–410
2012–13 330000010[lower-alpha 3]0–430
2013–14 370001010[lower-alpha 3]01[lower-alpha 4]0490
2014–15 340000010[lower-alpha 3]01[lower-alpha 4]0450
2015–16 3060300000120
Total 14508040310201900
Career total 251015040350203070
  1. ↑ All appearances in UEFA Cup
  2. 1 2 All appearances in Europa League
  3. 1 2 3 All appearances in UEFA Champions League
  4. 1 2 Appearance in Trophée des Champions

    International

    As of match played 22 June 2016.[30][37]
    Italy national team
    YearAppsGoals
    201020
    2011––
    201220
    201330
    201440
    201540
    201620
    Total170

    Honours

    Paris Saint-Germain[38]
    Italy[38]
    Individual

    Notes

    1. ↑ Includes cup competitions such as Coppa Italia and Coupe de France

    References

    1. ↑ "Gli undici metri di Sirigu il ragazzo finito in porta per un attacco d' asma" (in Italian). La Repubblica. 5 October 2010. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
    2. ↑ "Sirigu in prestito alla Cremonese" [Sirigu loaned to Cremonese] (in Italian). US Città di Palermo. 12 July 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-12.
    3. ↑ "CALCIOMERCATO. IL PORTIERE SIRIGU E' DELL'ANCONA" [Transfer market. The goalkeeper Sirigu is Ancona's] (in Italian). AC Ancona. 23 July 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-23.
    4. ↑ "Palermo, Sirigu: "Contento della mia prestazione e della prova del gruppo"" (in Italian). TuttoMercatoWeb. 27 September 2009. Retrieved 27 September 2009.
    5. ↑ "ANTEPRIMA PALERMO24.NET - SIRIGU IN NAZIONALE" (in Italian). Palermo 24. 28 February 2010. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
    6. ↑ "Palermo, Sirigu rinnova fino al 2014" [Palermo, Sirigu renews until 2014] (in Italian). Corriere dello Sport – Stadio. 21 October 2009. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
    7. ↑ "Eto'o e Milito show Coppa Italia all'Inter". Corriere dello Sport (in Italian). 29 May 2011.
    8. ↑ "SIRIGU CEDUTO AL PSG" [SIRIGU SOLD TO PSG] (in Italian). ilpalermocalcio.it. 28 July 2011. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
    9. ↑ "Sissoko et Sirigu s'engagent avec le PSG" [Sissoko and Sirigu join PSG] (in French). PSG.fr. 28 July 2011. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
    10. ↑ US Città di Palermo SpA bilancio (financial report and accounts) on 30 June 2012 (Italian), PDF purchased from Italian CCIAA
    11. ↑ "Sirigu continues to surprise at PSG". UEFA. 26 November 2012.
    12. ↑ "Record-setting Sirigu". PSG.fr. 28 January 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
    13. ↑ "Ibrahimovic wins UNFP football Trophy". FIFPro. 21 May 2013.
    14. ↑ "Ibrahimovic and PSG take French awards". FIFPro. 12 May 2014.
    15. ↑ "Paris Saint-Germain: 2013/14 Season Review". French Football Weekly. 27 May 2014.
    16. ↑ "Paris Saint-Germain beat Guingamp to win the Trophee des Champions". Sky Sports News. 2 August 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
    17. ↑ "SALVATORE SIRIGU SIGNS CONTRACT EXTENSION TO 2018". Paris Saint-Germain F.C. 10 September 2014. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
    18. ↑ "Edinson Cavani the hero as Paris Saint-Germain wrap up historic treble". ESPN. 31 May 2015.
    19. ↑ "Kevin Trapp joins PSG from Eintracht Frankurt on five-year deal until 2020". ESPN. 8 July 2015.
    20. ↑ "PSG confirm Salvatore Sirigu can leave if Kevin Trapp deal threatens Italy role". ESPN. 14 July 2015.
    21. ↑ "Salvatore Sirigu will not leave PSG this summer despite Trapp signing - agent". ESPN. 16 July 2015.
    22. ↑ "Coupe de la Ligue : Salvatore Sirigu (PSG) probablement forfait contre Toulouse". L'Équipe (in French). 26 January 2016.
    23. ↑ "Sirigu wanted Paris-Saint Germain exit". SBS. 12 February 2016.
    24. ↑ "Salvatore Sirigu se convierte en la décima incorporación" [Salvatore Sirigu is the tenth recruitment]. 26 August 2016. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
    25. ↑ "Made in Italy: Sansone scores stunner whilst Sirigu makes Sevilla debut". Vivoazzurro.it. 19 September 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
    26. ↑ "Athletic Bilbao 3–1 Sevilla". BBC Sport. 24 September 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
    27. ↑ "SIRIGU SALVATORE – Convocazioni e presenze in campo" (in Italian). FIGC.it. Retrieved 2008-03-30.
    28. ↑ "Pronta la squadra azzurra: ecco la lista dei 23 per il Mondiale". FIGC (in Italian). 1 June 2010. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
    29. ↑ http://www.goal.com/en/match/49703/ivory-coast-vs-italy/report
    30. 1 2 3 "Salvatore Sirigu". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
    31. ↑ McNulty, Phil (14 June 2014). "Italy 2-1 England". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
    32. ↑ "Official: Italy squad for Euro 2016". Football Italia. 31 May 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
    33. ↑ Adams, Sam (22 June 2016). "Brady sends euphoric Ireland into the last 16". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
    34. ↑ "Palermo, Sirigu ancora titolare" (in Italian). Tutto Palermo. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
    35. ↑ Filippo Cornacchia (2 February 2011). "Juve, Buffon-Sirigu: presente e futuro" (in Italian). Tutto Sport. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
    36. ↑ Salvatore Sirigu profile at Soccerway
    37. ↑ Salvatore Sirigu at National-Football-Teams.com
    38. 1 2 "S. Sirigu". Soccerway. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
    39. 1 2 "2012/13 UNFP Awards". French Football Weekly. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
    40. 1 2 "Ibrahimovic named Player of Year". Ligue 1. 12 May 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
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