Place of birth Rome, Italy 1991–1993 Lazio 1993–1999 Lazio Role Footballer Weight 86 kg Position Goalkeeper | Playing position Years Team Name Flavio Roma Height 1.91 m Career start 1993 | |
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Date of birth (1974-06-21) 21 June 1974 (age 41) Number 30 (AS Monaco FC / Goalkeeper) | ||
Flavio Roma (born 21 June 1974) is an Italian former footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
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Club career
Roma started his career in the youth teams of S.S. Lazio. He was the 3rd goalkeeper behind Luca Marchegiani and Fernando Orsi before leaving the club to play for clubs in Serie B and Serie C1. In 1999 he was signed by the Serie A side Piacenza as part of Simone Inzaghi's deal, replacing Valerio Fiori as the first choice in his role, but the team got relegated at the end of season.
Monaco
In 2001 he was signed by AS Monaco FC, then coached by Didier Deschamps, where he constantly was the first choice goalkeeper ahead of Tony Sylva and Stephane Porato until the 2008–09 season, when he lost his place to Stephane Ruffier. He was also in the squad that played the 2004 UEFA Champions League Final. During his stay at Monaco, he only missed 3 months in the 2005–06 season due to injuries, and a shoulder injury ruled him out of the second half of the 2001–02 season in February 2002.
During his career at Monaco, Roma rejected an opportunity to join English side Arsenal, in order to sign a new contract with the club.
Milan
On 12 August 2009, he signed a 1-year contract with Milan to replace Zeljko Kalac who was released from the club by mutual consent. Upon joining Milan, Roma cited joining the club as a dream come true. and Roma was expected to compete for the starting position with Marco Storari while Christian Abbiati and Dida were recovering from injury, but the manager Leonardo preferred Storari and after Storari, Dida. In January 2010, Storari left for Sampdoria and Abbiati recovered from injury, making Roma the third goalkeeper. At the end of the season, his contract was extended to an undisclosed length.
In 2011, Roma started in goals in two matches in the Coppa Italia against Bari and Sampdoria, getting a clean sheet against Bari, and conceding only one goal in an away game against Sampdoria. On 17 May 2011, Milan announced that Roma extended his contract for one more year.
On 13 May 2012, Flavio Roma announced that he has played his last game for the Italian side.
Return to Monaco
On 2 August 2012, Roma signed for Monaco on a one-year deal on a free transfer. Following Monaco promotion, Roma made his first appearance in his second spell, where he came on as a substitute for Martin Sourzac in the second half, as Monaco won 2-1 against Tours. After making one appearance, Roma signed a contract extension, which might be his last season.
At the end of the season, Roma announced his retirement.
International career
Roma received his first call-up for Italy on 17 November 2004 for a friendly game as Marcello Lippi was trying to identify a backup goalkeeper for Gianluigi Buffon. He made his debut on 30 March 2005 in a friendly match (that ended with a 0–0 draw) with Iceland replacing Morgan De Sanctis at half-time. He played his first full match on 11 June 2005 against Ecuador. Due to injuries, Roma was not called up for warm-up friendlies ahead of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Roma received his last call-up to date on 16 August 2006, Italy's first game after the 2006 FIFA World Cup.