Salvatore Sirigu’s unveiling press conference at Genoa began with a message from the youngest goalkeeper of the Grifone’s youth sector: ‘I hope I’ll become almost as strong as you are.’
Sirigu has signed a one-year deal at the Stadio Marassi with an option for another season.
His unveiling press conference, attended by Football Italia, began with a message from the youngest goalkeeper at the club: Samuele Cerone, who is seven years old.
📸 4 scatti della presentazione di #Sirigu.
❤️💙 A introdurlo in conferenza stampa, il piccolo Samuele Cervone di 7 anni e mezzo, il più piccolo portiere della Scuola Calcio del Genoa. pic.twitter.com/q6zDY6wSwL
— Genoa CFC (@GenoaCFC) August 3, 2021
“Good afternoon, Mr Sirigu my name is Samuele Cervone and I am the youngest goalkeeper of Genoa’s youth sector,” he said.
“I wanted to welcome you to the oldest club in Italy and congratulate you because you’ve been playing for Italy for so many years and gave my family and me great joy by winning the Euros this summer.
“It was an amazing night and although I am still very young I hope I can become almost as strong as you are.
“I hope stadiums reopen this season, so I can witness your great saves in a Genoa shirt, good luck.”
Sirigu explained the reasons why he joined the Grifone and said he feels happier and more lighthearted since he won the Euros with Italy.
He and Genoa’s second-choice goalkeeper Federico Marchetti are the only Italian players in Serie A to have played at least one game at the World Cup and Sirigu is looking forward to working with his compatriot with whom he has a “great relationship.”
The 34-year-old went on to explain why he picked the No.57 for the next season.
“I decided it after talking to my brothers and sisters. The No.57 is the house number of the place where we were raised in Sardinia. It’s a number that unites the entire family and five plus seven makes 12, which is the day I was born. In a way, they decided my shirt number and I am happy with it,” the new Genoa goalkeeper concluded.