Football
Ben Gladwell, Italy correspondent 8y

Salvatore Sirigu: It hurt to be dropped from Paris Saint-Germain first team

Salvatore Sirigu says he feels let down by Paris Saint-Germain after losing his place to Kevin Trapp this season.

The former Palermo goalkeeper played only three times in Ligue 1 this season, although he was first-choice in the Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue.

That was not what he expected a year ago, though, when he signed a new three-year contract with the Parisians, expecting to remain their No.1.

"For me, when somebody gives you their word, that is all that matters," Sirigu told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"After renewing my contract, they told me that they didn't need any other goalkeeper, confirming their full faith in me at the end of last season.

"When they then signed Trapp, I thought that the competition could do me good. But as soon as I got back from my holidays, I realised that they wanted me out because I was never given a fair chance and was never considered.

"For them, Trapp was the first choice no matter what. The coach told me that if they had any doubts, I would get a chance for sure, but I didn't get that even when we were so far away at the top of the table and playing every three days. The rest of the team would be rotated, but not in goal.

"It hurt me. I'm disappointed because of everything I've given for this shirt in five years, but I've always accepted the coach's decisions, even if I didn't share them."

Sirigu, 29, will therefore seek a move away from the French capital this summer if he does not feel he will be given more of a chance next season.

"I've got two years on my contract and it's down to the club, who need to tell me clearly that we finish things here or that there will be a true competition in goal, even if I would find it hard to believe. I certainly don't want to go through another year like this one.

"There wouldn't be any problem finding a mutual agreement, I'm sure. I'm prepared to consider serious options, even if it means going on loan, but it has to be a club who really want me.

"It's not crucial that they play in the Champions League, even if I've missed it a lot. It was Leonardo who convinced me to come to PSG when the club was starting from scratch -- he kept me on the phone for two days. I wouldn't go somewhere else to be second choice, though. In that case, I'd prefer to stay at PSG."

Despite his lack of first-team action this season, Sirigu is nevertheless set to be named in Italy's squad for Euro 2016, as understudy to Gianluigi Buffon.

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