.jpg) Sirigu withItaly in 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Salvatore Sirigu[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | (1987-01-12)12 January 1987 (age 38)[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Nuoro, Italy | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)[2] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Goalkeeper | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2002–2005 | Venezia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005–2007 | Palermo | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2006–2011 | Palermo | 69 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007–2008 | →Cremonese (loan) | 19 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008–2009 | →Ancona (loan) | 15 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011–2017 | Paris Saint-Germain | 145 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016–2017 | →Sevilla (loan) | 2 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | →Osasuna (loan) | 18 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017–2021 | Torino | 141 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021–2022 | Genoa | 37 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022–2023 | Napoli | 0 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | Fiorentina | 1 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023–2024 | Nice | 0 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | Fatih Karagümrük | 17 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024–2025 | Palermo | 0 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career‡ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005 | Italy U18 | 3 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005 | Italy U19 | 2 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007–2009 | Italy U21 | 3 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2010–2021 | Italy | 28 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 15 May 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 22:04, 8 September 2021 (UTC) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Salvatore SiriguCavaliere OMRI (Italian pronunciation:[salvaˈtoːreˈsiːriɡu],Sardinian:[saɾβaˈðɔɾɛˈziɾiɣu]; born 12 January 1987) is an Italian professionalfootballer who plays as agoalkeeper.
Sirigu began his career withVenezia and thenPalermo. In 2011, he moved to French sideParis Saint-Germain. Twice voted theLigue 1 Goalkeeper of the Year, his honours at the club include four consecutive league titles and all four domestic competitions in both the2014–15 and2015–16 seasons. After spending the 2016–17 season in Spain on loan toSevilla andOsasuna, Sirigu was signed byTorino in 2017. After playing 152 matches with the club, he then had brief spells atGenoa,Napoli andFiorentina.
A former youth international, Sirigu made his senior debut for Italy in 2010 and was selected forUEFA Euro 2012 (finishing in second place), the2013 FIFA Confederations Cup (finishing in third place), the2014 FIFA World Cup,UEFA Euro 2016, andUEFA Euro 2020, winning the latter tournament.
Born inNuoro,Sardinia, Italy, Sirigu started his football career inVenezia's youth system playing as amidfielder. 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 hisasthma 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.[3]
In 2002,[citation needed] he joinedPalermo's youth system. In the 2006–07 season, he made his debut as a starter in aCoppa Italia match againstSampdoria and aUEFA Cup match againstFenerbahçe. Palermo loaned him toSerie C1 clubCremonese on 12 July 2007 to gain some first team experience.[4]
He spent the 2008–09 season on loan toSerie B sideAncona,[5] but only played 15 games with his club, as Ancona managersFrancesco Monaco, and laterSandro Salvioni preferred BrazilianDa Costa over him.
Sirigu successively returned to Palermo as a second-choice keeper, behind new signingRubinho, for the2009–10 season. Following a string of unimpressive performances by Rubinho, Palermo coachWalter Zenga, himself a former goalkeeper who was noted for his ability, elevated Sirigu to the starting role for the Week 6 game, an away match againstDavide Ballardini'sLazio 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.[6] He was subsequently confirmed for the following game, where Sirigu managed to keep a clean sheet in a 2–0 win against Serie A giantsJuventus. Since then, Sirigu was regularly featured in the starting line-up and permanently confirmed as the first-choice goalkeeper, leading the club to send Rubinho out on loan toLivorno 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.[7]
On 21 October 2009, Palermo announced to have agreed a contract extension with him, the new contract would have expired in June 2014.[8] His final appearance for Palermo came in the2011 Coppa Italia Final againstInternazionale at Rome'sStadio Olimpico, a 3–1 loss.[9]
On 28 July 2011, Sirigu signed a four-year contract with French clubParis Saint-Germain[10][11] for a transfer fee of €3.895 million.[12] Although initially signed as a reserve forNicolas Douchez, Sirigu started all 38Ligue 1 matches during his first season at the club as PSG finished as runners-up toMontpellier HSC.[13]
On 27 January 2013, Sirigu brokeBernard Lama's clean-sheet record for a PSG goalkeeper in Ligue 1 (697 minutes).[14] He became the first foreign player to be namedUNFP's goalkeeper of the season as PSG won the2012–13 Ligue 1championship.[15] Sirigu won the award for the second consecutive year in 2014,[16] with PSG defending their league title and winning theCoupe de la Ligue.[17]
On 2 August 2014, as PSG won theTrophée des Champions 2–0 againstGuingamp at theWorkers Stadium inBeijing, Sirigu saved a 32nd-minute penalty kick fromMustapha Yatabaré.[18] He signed a contract extension on 10 September of the same year, lasting until 2018.[19] Sirigu remained PSG's first choice goalkeeper in the 2014–15 season forLigue 1 andUEFA Champions League matches, as the capital club won adomestic treble of the league championship,Coupe de France andCoupe de la Ligue, as well as reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League.[20]
After PSG completed the signing of German goalkeeperKevin Trapp fromEintracht Frankfurt in July 2015,[21] deputy sporting director Olivier Letang announced that the club "would not stand in [Sirigu's] way" if he wished to leave Paris.[22] However, the player's agent denied that the player would leave the club.[23] Sirigu remained PSG's first choice goalkeeper in theCoupe de France andCoupe de la Ligue, winning both titles, with Trapp taking his place as the preferred choice inLigue 1 andUEFA Champions League matches.[24] On 12 February 2016, he announced that he would have left PSG during the previous wintertransfer window if "an important proposal had arrived",[25] but ultimately remained with the club for the remainder of the season.
On 26 August 2016, Sirigu joinedLa Liga clubSevilla FC on a season-long loan.[26] He made his debut with the club in a 1–1 away draw againstEibar on 17 September.[27] A week later, away toAthletic Bilbao, he was sent off for elbowingAritz Aduriz, leaving midfielderVicente Iborra to unsuccessfully face the former's penalty in a 3–1 loss.[28]
Having made only three appearances for theAndalusians, Sirigu moved to fellow league club, strugglersCA Osasuna on 31 January 2017 for the remainder of the season.[29]
On 27 June 2017,Torino announced they had signed Sirigu on afree transfer.[30] He made his debut for Torino on 12 August, in a 7–1 home win againstTrapani in theCoppa Italia third round,[31] and eight days later made a first Serie A appearance in a 1–1 draw away toBologna.[32]
In July 2018, when Sirigu had a year left on his contract, he extended it until June 2022.[33][34] On 3 March 2019, he recorded his sixth consecutive Serie A clean sheet, thereby surpassingLuciano Castellini's club record of 517 minutes without conceding a goal in Serie A.[35][36] On 15 July 2021, his contract with Torino was terminated by mutual consent.[37]
On 3 August 2021, Sirigu joinedGenoa, stating that his aim was to be chosen by Italy for the2022 FIFA World Cup.[38] Having missed only the last game of his one season at theStadio Luigi Ferraris, he then joinedNapoli on a free transfer.[39]
Having not played at all for Napoli, Sirigu transferred toFiorentina on 25 January 2023.[40] After playing two games – one in theUEFA Europa Conference League – he suffered anAchilles tendon injury in March, ruling him out for an estimated six months; his contract was set to expire in June, but included a one-year extension option.[41]
On 15 September 2023, Sirigu joinedLigue 1 sideOGC Nice on a one-year deal.[42]
On 16 January 2024, after failing to make an appearance during 124 days at Nice, Sirigu left the club and joined TurkishSüper Lig clubFatih Karagümrük.[43] He left the club by the end of the season following the expiration of his contract.
On 24 August 2024, Sirigu signed a one-year deal with Serie B clubPalermo, thus returning to theRosanero thirteen years after his departure.[44]
Sirigu represented Italy at Under-18 and Under-19 levels.[45] On 21 August 2007, he made his debut with theItaly U-21 squad under managerPierluigi Casiraghi, in a 2–1friendly victory againstFrance held in La Spezia, coming on as a second-half substitute forAndrea Consigli.[46][47] He took part at the2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship as the back up of starter Consigli.[48]
On 28 February 2010, Sirigu received his first call-up for theItaly national team by managerMarcello Lippi for a friendly match versusCameroon[49] which was played atStade Louis II,Monaco, but did not play, asFederico Marchetti was chosen to start.[50] In May, he was included in Lippi's 28-man provisional2010 FIFA World Cup squad,[51] but was not included in the 23-man final squad for the tournament.[52]
WithCesare Prandelli serving as national coach, Sirigu was named in his first squad list for the friendly match againstIvory Coast on 10 August 2010,[52] in which the goalkeeper also debuted as Italy lost 1–0.[53] On 3 September, he made his second appearance for the first competitive match, a 2–1 away victory againstEstonia forEuro 2012 qualifying.[54]
Sirigu was eventually selected to go toUEFA Euro 2012 as the third choice keeper of the Italian team, behindGianluigi Buffon andMorgan De Sanctis;[55] he did not feature in the tournament as Italy reached thefinal, losing out 4–0 toSpain.[56]
For the2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, he was selected as the second-choice keeper behind Buffon.[57] Shortly before the tournament, on 31 May, he kept his first international clean sheet as Italy beatSan Marino 4–0 in a friendly match inBologna.[58] In the final tournament, he once again did not feature as Italy finished in third place, defeatingUruguay on penalties in the bronze medal match following a 2–2 draw.[59]
Prandelli selected Sirigu as his second-choice goalkeeper for the2014 FIFA World Cup.[60] Due to an injury to starting goalkeeper Buffon, he started in the opening group match, and made several decisive saves which contributed to the 2–1 victory againstEngland; this was his only appearance throughout the tournament.[61] Following consecutive 1–0 defeats toCosta Rica and Uruguay, however, Italy finished in third place in their group, and were eliminated in the group stage for a second consecutive World Cup.[62][63][64]
On 31 May 2016, Sirigu was included inAntonio Conte's 23-man Italy squad forUEFA Euro 2016.[65] Due to a fever suffered by starting goalkeeper Buffon, Sirigu made his only appearance of the tournament on 22 June, in his country's final group match, a 1–0 defeat to theRepublic of Ireland.[66] Italy were eliminated from the tournament in the quarter-finals, following a penalty shoot-out loss againstGermany.[67]
After not featuring under managerGian Piero Ventura in Italy's unsuccessfulqualifying campaign for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Sirigu returned to the national side under his successorRoberto Mancini, appearing in Italy's 3–1 friendly defeat toFrance in Nice on 1 June 2018;[68] he went on to feature during Italy'sEuro 2020 qualification campaign, conceding his only goal in qualifying in Italy's 2–1 home win overBosnia and Herzegovina on 11 June 2019.[69] On 11 November 2020, Sirigu made his first appearance as Italycaptain, starting in a 4–0 friendly win overEstonia in Florence.[70]
In June 2021, Sirigu was included in Italy's squad for the rescheduledUEFA Euro 2020 by manager Mancini.[71] He made his only appearance of the tournament in Italy's final group match againstWales on 20 June, coming on as a late substitute forGianluigi Donnarumma in the team's 1–0 victory in Rome, which saw them top their group.[72] On 11 July, Sirigu won the European Championship with Italy following a 3–2penalty shoot-out victory overEngland atWembley Stadium in thefinal, after a 1–1 draw inextra-time.[73]
Sirigu was once again named Italy's second-choice goalkeeper for the2021 UEFA Nations League Finals, where they finished in third place, beating outBelgium 2–1 in the bronze medal match.[74][75]
Regarded as one of the best Italian goalkeepers of his generation, Sirigu was considered in the 2010s as the possible 'heir-apparent' ofGianluigi Buffon as Italy's first-choice goalkeeper, due to his consistency, physical strength, composure, strong mentality, explosive reflexes, and shot-stopping ability between the posts.[76][77][78] Although he was frequently compared to Zenga in his youth,[79][80] his former manager at Cremonese,Emiliano Mondonico, compared him toDino Zoff because of his calm character under pressure.[81] Former Italy goalkeeperAngelo Peruzzi has also praised Sirigu for his goalkeeping technique andability to come off his line quickly to collect the ball.[82] Sirigu is also known for his professionalism and leadership qualities, as well as his ability to motivate his teammates, and is therefore considered to be an influential dressing room personality, which makes him a popular figure with his teams' fans.[83][84]
| Club | Season | League | National cup | League cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Palermo | 2006–07 | Serie A | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 1[a] | 0 | – | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2009–10 | Serie A | 32 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | – | – | 33 | 0 | ||||
| 2010–11 | Serie A | 37 | 0 | 5 | 0 | – | 3[b] | 0 | – | 45 | 0 | |||
| Total | 69 | 0 | 7 | 0 | – | 4 | 0 | – | 80 | 0 | ||||
| Cremonese (loan) | 2007–08 | Serie C1 | 22 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | – | – | 24 | 0 | |||
| Ancona (loan) | 2008–09 | Serie B | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | 15 | 0 | |||
| Paris Saint-Germain | 2011–12 | Ligue 1 | 38 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | – | 41 | 0 | |
| 2012–13 | Ligue 1 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10[c] | 0 | – | 43 | 0 | ||
| 2013–14 | Ligue 1 | 37 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10[c] | 0 | 1[d] | 0 | 49 | 0 | |
| 2014–15 | Ligue 1 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10[c] | 0 | 1[d] | 0 | 45 | 0 | |
| 2015–16 | Ligue 1 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | |
| Total | 145 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 190 | 0 | ||
| Sevilla (loan) | 2016–17 | La Liga | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| Osasuna (loan) | 2016–17 | La Liga | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | 18 | 0 | |||
| Torino | 2017–18 | Serie A | 37 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | – | – | 38 | 0 | |||
| 2018–19 | Serie A | 36 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | – | – | 38 | 0 | ||||
| 2019–20 | Serie A | 36 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | 6[b] | 0 | – | 44 | 0 | |||
| 2020–21 | Serie A | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | 32 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 141 | 0 | 5 | 0 | – | 6 | 0 | – | 152 | 0 | ||||
| Genoa | 2021–22 | Serie A | 37 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | 37 | 0 | |||
| Napoli | 2022–23 | Serie A | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | ||
| Fiorentina | 2022–23 | Serie A | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 1[e] | 0 | – | 2 | 0 | ||
| Nice | 2023–24 | Ligue 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | |||
| Fatih Karagümrük | 2023–24 | Süper Lig | 17 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | – | – | 19 | 0 | |||
| Career total | 467 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 42 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 540 | 0 | ||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | 2010 | 2 | 0 |
| 2011 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2012 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2013 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2014 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2015 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2016 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2018 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2020 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 28 | 0 | |
Paris Saint-Germain[85]
Italy
Individual
Orders
Italy squads | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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