Salvatore Sirigu

Salvatore Sirigu (Italian pronunciation: [salvaˈtoːre ˈsiːriɡu], Sardinian: [saɾβaˈðɔɾɛ ˈziɾiɣu]; born 12 January 1987) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper.

Sirigu began his career with Venezia and then Palermo. In 2011, he moved to French side Paris Saint-Germain. 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. After spending the 2016–17 season in Spain on loan to Sevilla and Osasuna, Sirigu was signed by Torino in 2017. After playing 152 matches with the club, he then had brief spells at Genoa, Napoli and Fiorentina.

A former youth international, Sirigu made his senior debut for Italy in 2010 and was selected for UEFA Euro 2012 (finishing in second place), the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup (finishing in third place), the 2014 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2016, and UEFA Euro 2020, winning the latter tournament.

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 extensive hands, they told him to have a go at the goal.