SAMIR HANDANOVIC

BIOGRAPHY AND CAREER

Samir Handanovic, born 14 July 1984 is a Slovenian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Italian club Udinese and the Slovenian national team.

Handanović started his career at Slovan and was later transferred to Domžale where he spent two seasons. He was signed by Udinese in the summer of 2004 at the age of 20. He was on loan to Treviso in summer 2005, but in January 2006, he was exchanged with Matteo Sereni to Lazio.

In July 2006, he was loaned to Rimini, joining Rimini's other loaned players, Digão of AC Milan and Ahmed Barusso of A.S. Roma. The club finished 5th in the Serie B and conceded the 4th least number of goals in the league. He returned to Udinese in summer 2007, where he replaced Morgan De Sanctis, and signed a new and improved contract which will last until 30 June 2012. He signed the contract along teammates Asamoah Gyan and Fabio Quagliarella.


Handanović has been capped 42 times for Slovenia. He made his debut for national team on 17 November 2004, in a match against Slovakia. He also played for Slovenia in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

His parents are of Bosnian descent.His elder cousin, Jasmin Handanović plays for Empoli in Serie B. They both play as goalkeepers for the Slovenia national football team. Handanovič is in a long standing relationship with the former KK Olimpija cheerleader named Zoja with whom he has a son Alen, born on 19 January 2011

PLAYER DETAILS
Full name: Samir Handanovic
Date of birth: 14 July 1984
Place of birth: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Height: 1.94 m (6 ft 4 1⁄2 in)
Playing position: Goalkeeper

Club information
Current club: Udinese
Number: 1,22

Youth career
0000–2002 ND Slovan
2002–2003 Domžale

Senior career
2003–2004 Domžale 7 (0)
2003–2004 → Zagorje (loan) 11 (0)
2004– Udinese 121 (0)
2005–2006 → Treviso (loan) 3 (0)
2006 → Lazio (loan) 1 (0)
2006–2007 → Rimini (loan) 39 (0)

National team
2004–2006 Slovenia U21 7 (0)
2004– Slovenia 48 (0)