Buffon named world's top goalkeeper

Juventus star Gianluigi Buffon has spoken of his pride after being named the Best Goalkeeper in the world for 2007 by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics.

The IFFHS hands out the award for the world's best shot-stopper every year after conducting a complex study of statistics and other calculations.

This is the fourth time in the last five years that Buffon has won the prize, having also emerged victorious in 2003, '04 and '06.

Two delegates from the IFFHS turned up at Juventus' Vinovo training ground yesterday to present Buffon with his award.

"It is a great pleasure to receive this award," the superhuman goalkeeper told the Juventus Channel. "It is so nice because it is based on a very detailed study of statistics and the fact that I'm getting this for the fourth time says that I must be doing something right."

Meanwhile, in other news, Juventus has entered a 15-year marketing partnership with Sportfive Italia S.r.l.

As part of the agreement, Sportfive will have the right to exclusively sell the naming right of Juve's new stadium and to also market part of the sky boxes and VIP seats. Juventus will in return receive $9.7 million per year as compensation.