Ezequiel Lavezzi has backed former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Salvatore Sirigu to achieve his goals in Spain and claims that the goalkeeper joined Sevilla on a season-long loan because he was "tired of doing laps of honour" after every win in France.
The Argentina international, 31, who currently plies his trade with Hebei China Fortune FC after joining the Chinese Super League gold rush back in February of this year, branded Sirigu a winner and said that Sevilla represents a new challenge for the Italy international.
"He has character and is hot-headed, like all Italians," Lavezzi told Marca when asked what Sirigu will bring to his new club. "Above all, he is a goalkeeper who is a winner.
"In France, he was tired of doing laps of honour after each win. He has found a new challenge in Spain and I am sure he will achieve his objectives."
Sirigu, 29, ended 12 difficult months at Parc des Princes by accepting to join Sevilla for the campaign and Lavezzi reckons his "influence" will prove valuable at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
"Salvatore is a goalkeeper who adds something on and off the pitch," the former SSC Napoli man said. "He knows how to behave in both places and one of his main assets is the influence he has on the dressing room.
"I arrived a while after him and he is one of those players who helped me to adapt. In training, he is a perfectionist but he knows how to have a laugh l of Kevin Trapp made life difficult for him in Paris.with his teammates without being unprofessional. His main virtue is his motivation."
Sirigu was PSG's first choice goalkeeper for four seasons before the arriva
The man from Nuoro, who was twice voted Ligue 1 Goalkeeper of the Year during his stint in Le Championnat, slipped from second to third choice this summer after the return of Alphonse Areola from his loan spell in Spain with Villarreal.
Lavezzi praised the Azzurri shot stopper's positive outlook, his ability to transmit calm in trick situations and his vocal character.
"He is a positive leader who transmits tremendous calm in key moments," Lavezzi said. "Even though he is in goal, we could always hear him during training sessions."
There is no option for Sevilla to buy Sirigu in his loan contract, so he could return to the French capital next summer. However, he is not expected to have a future with PSG under coach Unai Emery -- whose love of the Spanish club convinced the Italian to move to Spain.