Name:	Julian Speroni
Nationality:	Argentinian
Date of Birth:	18/05/1979
Height:	6' 1" (186cm)
Weight:	13st 10lbs (87.0kg)
Previous
Clubs:	Dundee
Position:	Goalkeeper

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Argentinian stopper Julian was signed from Dundee in the summer of 2004 to compete for the goalkeeping spot at Selhurst Park and has made the first team berth his own following the departure of Gabor Kiraly.

An untimely injury in December of 2006 perhaps robbed him of the number one jersey earlier than planned as, after breaking into the team and putting in some assured displays, he picked up a thigh strain in training and then had to wait until the final weeks of the season before getting another chance in the team.

The committed Christian first came to the attention in the UK when he played over 100 games for Dundee after joining them as a 22-year-old from Platense in his homeland and during his time in the SPL, he was recognised as one of the best keepers in Scotland and it was reported that he was close to receiving a call-up to the Argentina national team.

His first season at Selhurst Park saw him largely play understudy to Kiraly, but in the few games he did play, he showed his shot stopping abilities and agility.

The 2005/06 campaign saw Julian play back-up to Kiraly again, but he did impress during Palace's run in the Carling Cup where he put in some memorable performances, particularly in the win over Liverpool at Selhurst Park.

Following Kiraly's move away from Selhurst in 2007, Speroni stepped into the vacant goalkeeping role and never looked back.

His form over the past three seasons has been nothing short of exceptional, and with his natural shot stopping ability and incredible knack of being able to pull off seemingly impossible saves, he has successfully positioned himself as one of the best goalkeepers in Crystal Palace's history.

Former manager Neil Warnock labelled him as "one of the best in the country", and was then linked with a move for him in the summer when he moved across London to QPR.

But Speroni has stayed put and has reclaimed his number one jersey for the new npower Championship season.

 

and for that reason, among many others, he is adored by the Eagles supporters.