Player profile

Handanovic enhanced his reputation as one of the best goalkeepers in Italy - a status endorsed by Gianluigi Buffon - as Udinese rallied to avoid relegation.

His agent said in January “it’s best for Samir that he leaves Udinese in the summer,” with Bayern Munich and Manchester United reportedly among the admirers of the 6ft 4in £7m-rated goalkeeper. He is renowned for his penalty saves, but can be erratic at dealing with the high ball.

He played in 10 of the 12 World Cup qualifiers and kept six clean sheets. Last September, Handanovic voiced his anger at Wayne Rooney for winning a dubious penalty in England’s 2-1 win at Wembley: “It was wrong for him to do this. It was not fair play.” His cousin Jasmin is Slovenia’s back-up goalkeeper.

Handanovic began his career with Slovenian club Domzale and earned a move to Udinese in 2004 after just seven league appearances. He made his Udinese debut in May 2005 but was then loaned to Treviso, Lazio and Rimini before he returned to his parent club in the summer of 2007 and swiftly became first choice.