Crystal Palace FC keeper opens restaurant

Crystal Palace FC goalkeeper Julian Speroni has opened a restaurant in South West London.

The Speroni restaurant, which opened last month, counts Italian, Argentinian and Spanish food among its influences.

The football player launched the restaurant with fellow Argentinian Cristian Barrionuevo, who owns the Buenos Aires steakhouse next door, reported the Croydon Advertiser.

Commenting on his decision to dabble in hospitality, Speroni said it was something he'd been considering for a long time.

"My family is Italian and my wife's family is Spanish, so we wanted to make fusion of that. I also wanted to make it feel like when I am eating out at home," he said.

"I was looking for a place and this came up. But everything had to be perfect; we wanted to make sure the menu was perfect and that every dish was perfect."

Dishes on the menu include the Speroni Fillet and the Chicken Speroni, and the interior walls are adorned with Crystal Palace FC-themed artwork.

Speroni, who is due for a testimonial at the end of the season, said he has no plans to take his focus off football but added that he would consider rolling out the concept if this venture is successful.

He said: "We are seeing how this goes and we are already thinking about the next step. Who knows, maybe we will open more."