Julián Speroni facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Julián Speroni

Speroni warming up for Crystal Palace in 2015
Personal information
Date of birth	(1979-05-18) 18 May 1979 (age 46)
Place of birth	Buenos Aires, Argentina
Height	1.86 m
Playing position	Goalkeeper
Youth career
1997–1999	Platense
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1999–2001	Platense	2	(0)
2001–2004	Dundee	92	(0)
2004–2019	Crystal Palace	405	(0)
Total		499	(0)
National team
1998	Argentina U20	1	(0)
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Julián Maria Speroni (born 18 May 1979) is a former professional footballer from Argentina. He was a goalkeeper.

Julián started his football journey at Platense in Argentina. He then played for three seasons in Scotland with Dundee. In 2004, he joined Crystal Palace. For his first three seasons at Crystal Palace, he was often a backup goalkeeper. But after 2007, he became the main goalkeeper. He played 405 matches for Crystal Palace. Julián left Crystal Palace in May 2019.

Julián's Club Career

Playing for Dundee

Julián Speroni was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He began his career with Club Atlético Platense in his home country. After playing only two professional matches, he moved to the Scottish team Dundee. The manager, Ivano Bonetti, heard about Julián's talent from a contact in Italy. Julián's move to Dundee was delayed for two months. This was because of paperwork issues in Argentina. He needed an Italian passport to complete the transfer.

Julián played his first game for Dundee on 6 January 2002. It was a 1–1 draw against Falkirk in the Scottish Cup. In his next game, he kept a "clean sheet" (meaning the other team didn't score) in a 1–0 win. He quickly became Dundee's main goalkeeper. In one game, an opposing player accidentally punched him. This led to the player being sent off. The club's owner wanted to keep Julián. Even a big Italian club, Inter Milan, was interested in him. Julián played 21 games in his first season.

Before the 2002–03 season, Julián signed a new three-year contract with Dundee. He said his first manager, Ivano Bonetti, helped him a lot. Julián was only 24 but felt ready for big games. He continued to be the main goalkeeper. He played very well in many matches. Julián helped Dundee reach the Scottish Cup final in 2003. They lost 1–0 to Rangers in the final. He played 46 games that season.

At the start of the 2003–04 season, Julián was still the main goalkeeper. He played in his first UEFA Cup match. Dundee won 2–0 and kept a clean sheet. They won the next game 4–0. But they lost in the next round. Halfway through the season, Dundee had money problems. They thought about selling Julián. But he stayed with the team. People said he was an "inspiration" to the club. He played 46 games that season.

Years later, Julián had a special game to celebrate his time at Crystal Palace. It was against Dundee on 26 May 2015. He was also added to the Dundee Hall of Fame. Over 11,000 fans came to his special game. Many players from both clubs praised him.

Playing for Crystal Palace

Speroni training with Crystal Palace in 2011.

Julián joined Crystal Palace on 13 July 2004. The team had just been promoted to the Premier League. He was given the number one shirt. He played in friendly matches before the season started.

He played his first game for Crystal Palace on the opening day. It was a 1–1 draw against Norwich City. In the next game, he made a mistake that led to a penalty. Crystal Palace lost 3–1. The manager said he needed to get used to pressure. After four more losses, Julián was replaced. He became a backup goalkeeper. He played only eight games that season. Crystal Palace was relegated from the Premier League.

Before the 2005–06 season, Julián was linked with a move back to Scotland. But he stayed at Crystal Palace. He changed his shirt number to 27. He played his first game of the season in the League Cup. He kept a clean sheet in a 3–0 win. He also played in a 2–1 win against Liverpool. He then played in some league games. He continued to be a backup goalkeeper. He played eight games that season.

For the 2006–07 season, Julián changed his shirt number again to 12. He was still a backup goalkeeper. He also had some injuries. He made his first appearance of the season in December 2006. He kept a clean sheet in a 1–0 win against Sunderland. A newspaper praised his performance. The manager said Julián would be the main goalkeeper next season. He played five games that season.

In the first game of the 2007–08 season, Julián helped his team win 4–1. He was back as Crystal Palace's main goalkeeper. He played very well and gained a good reputation. In one game, he got a yellow card for handling the ball. The other team thought he should have been sent off. In another game, he made a mistake that led to a goal. But the manager supported him. Julián then helped the team go 15 games without losing. The manager and teammates praised him. He helped Crystal Palace reach the play-offs. They lost in the play-offs. Julián played all 48 league games that season. He won the club's "Player of the Year" award. He signed a new contract until 2011.

Speroni taking a goal kick during a match against Watford on 19 April 2008.

For the 2008–09 season, Julián went back to wearing the number one shirt. He was still the main goalkeeper. He helped Crystal Palace keep three clean sheets in a row. He missed one game due to a leg injury. But he quickly returned and helped the team go eight games without losing. He suffered a cut on his face in one game. But he recovered quickly. He played 48 games that season. For the second time, he won the "Player of the Year" award.

Before the 2009–10 season, other clubs wanted Julián. But the manager said he would not sell him. He missed one game due to a throat injury. He returned and played well. He helped the team keep three clean sheets in a row. The manager said he was the best goalkeeper in the league. Crystal Palace had money problems that season. They lost ten points. Julián continued to play very well. In the last game of the season, Crystal Palace needed a draw to stay in the league. They drew 2–2 and avoided relegation. He played 32 games that season. He won the "Player of the Year" award for the third year in a row. He said he wanted to stay at the club for his whole career.

At the start of the 2010–11 season, Julián was still the main goalkeeper. He continued to play well. He kept a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw. The manager called him a "top class keeper." Julián made his 200th appearance for the club in January 2011. He kept a clean sheet in that game. He missed one game due to a groin injury. But he returned and helped Crystal Palace avoid relegation again. He played 48 games that season.

For the 2011–12 season, Julián was still the main goalkeeper. He helped Crystal Palace keep five clean sheets in a row. This set a new club record. They went 619 minutes without letting in a goal. He missed three games due to illness. He returned for a League Cup game and kept a clean sheet. He made his 250th appearance for the club. He played 44 games that season.

At the start of the 2012–13 season, Julián was still the main goalkeeper. He helped the team go 14 games without losing. They were at the top of the league at one point. In one game, he saved a penalty kick. He made his 300th appearance for the club. Julián helped Crystal Palace reach the play-offs again. They won both semi-final games and kept clean sheets. In the final, Crystal Palace won 1–0. This meant they were promoted back to the Premier League after eight years. He played 49 games that season.

In the first game of the 2013–14 season, Julián played in the Premier League again. It was his first Premier League game in nine years. The team had a tough start. But under a new manager, their results improved. The manager praised Julián's saves. He helped Crystal Palace keep three clean sheets in a row. He kept another clean sheet to make sure the team stayed in the Premier League. He played 39 games that season. He won the "Player of the Year" award for the fourth time. He signed a new contract with the club.

Even though the manager said he might not be the main goalkeeper, Julián remained the first choice for the 2014–15 season. In one game, he saved a penalty kick. The manager praised him, calling him a "gem of a person." He suffered a blow to the face in one game. But he recovered quickly. Julián made his 347th league appearance for Crystal Palace. This broke a club record for goalkeepers. He played 37 games that season. He signed a new contract for another year.

Speroni (number one in a green shirt) prepare to defend, as West Ham United prepare to take a corner kick on 28 February 2015.

At the start of the 2015–16 season, Julián became the third-choice goalkeeper. He also had a finger injury. He played only two games that season. He was a backup in the FA Cup final, which Crystal Palace lost. He signed another one-year contract.

In the 2016–17 season, Julián was still the third-choice goalkeeper. He made his first appearance in the FA Cup. He kept a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw. He said he was honored to break another club record. He played two games that season. He signed another contract extension.

For the 2017–18 season, Julián was the second-choice goalkeeper. He played his first game in the League Cup. He also captained Crystal Palace for the first time. He helped the team win 1–0 and keep a clean sheet. When the main goalkeeper was injured, Julián started playing more. He made his 400th appearance for Crystal Palace. He said he felt better than ever and wanted to play for a few more years. He played 13 games that season.

After thinking about his future, Julián signed a one-year contract extension in 2018. For the 2018–19 season, he was the third-choice goalkeeper. He made his first appearance of the season in January 2019. He played in an FA Cup game and kept a clean sheet. This turned out to be his last game. He was given the club's Chairman's Award for his great contributions. On 9 May 2019, it was announced that Julián would leave Crystal Palace after 15 years. He was the last player born in the 1970s to play in the Premier League. Many people from Crystal Palace praised him. He received a special farewell from his teammates and thanked the club. He played two games that season.

During his time at Crystal Palace, Julián became a huge fan favorite. People called him "one of the nicest guys in football." He even said he felt like a fan of the club himself.

Life After Playing Football

After leaving Crystal Palace, Julián said he wanted to keep playing football. He was willing to play into his forties. However, he did not find another club. So, he announced his retirement from professional football after 20 years. Julián had hinted that he might become a coach. In October 2022, he returned to Crystal Palace. He now coaches young players in the club's academy.

Playing for His Country

In November 1998, Julián was chosen to play for the Argentina Under-20 team. He played in a friendly game. He was also considered for a big tournament in 1999. But he was not chosen for the final team.

Julián played one game for the Argentina U20 team. He said in interviews that he wanted to play for the main senior team. But he was never chosen. His managers even asked the national team coach to pick him for the FIFA World Cup.

Julián's Personal Life

Julián was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His parents were working-class. He started playing football when he was eight years old. He almost quit once, but his coach convinced him to keep playing. He grew up watching Italian football because it was popular in Argentina. He was also a fan of the Boca Juniors team. Julián has an Italian passport because of his grandfather. He is a Christian. He also helps an organization that works for religious freedom. Besides Spanish, he also speaks English. Julián is married to his childhood sweetheart, Marina, who is an artist. They have three children, all born in England.

Julián used to own a restaurant in Purley, south London, called "Speroni's." The restaurant closed in 2016 due to building problems. He also did a lot of charity work while playing for Crystal Palace.

Career Statistics

Awards and Honours

Crystal Palace

• Football League Championship play-offs: 2013 (They won promotion to the Premier League)
• FA Cup runner-up: 2015–16 (They reached the final but didn't win)

Individual Awards

• Crystal Palace Player of the Year: 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2013–14 (He won this award four times!)

See also

In Spanish: Julián Speroni para niños