Inter mourn goalkeeping great Sarti

Inter Milan paid tribute to the club's former goalkeeping great Giuliano Sarti, who died aged 83 on Tuesday following an "unexpected illness".

"Giuliano passed away today, surrounded by his loved ones. The thoughts of everyone at F.C. Internazionale go out to him and his family at this difficult time," said a statement by the Serie A club.

As well as being one of Italy's top shot-stoppers in the 1950s and 60s, former Fiorentina, Inter, Juventus and Italy player Sarti pioneered the role of 'sweeper-keeper'.

Known to rush off his line to try and close down attacks, Sarti also got involved in build-up plays from the back.

Beginning his professional career with Fiorentina in 1954, Sarti won one Serie A title, an Italian Cup and a Cup Winners' Cup with the Florence side before he moved to the "Grande Inter" side of Helenio Herrera in 1963.

Sarti notably helped Inter to successive European Cup titles in 1964 and 1965, finishing second to pioneering Scottish giants Celtic in Lisbon in 1967.

With Sarti in goal, an Inter team starring marauding full-back Giacinti Facchetti and midfielder Sandro Mazzola also won consecutive Serie A titles in 1965 and 1966.

Sarti moved to Juventus in 1968 but played only two seasons with the Turin giants before hanging up his gloves.