Aston Villa signed Lovre Kalinić from Gent in the winter transfer window and the goalkeeper has signed a four-and-a-half year deal with the English club.
The Croatia international has made four starts in the league for the Championship side and has kept one clean sheet, while conceding six goals in the process.
He conceded three goals on his debut against Swansea City in the FA Cup and as a result, his side were knocked out of the cup competition.
Things have not been easy for the 28-year-old at Villa Park, but that doesn’t change the fact that he still remains the first choice shot stopper for his country, according to Croatia’s former goalkeeper Mario Galinović.
“Kale is currently undefeated as our best goalkeeper and his number one in the national team is not questioned at all,” Galinović was quoted as saying by Večernji List.
“No start is easy, he has flown into the mix when the results of the team are not very good. He alone cannot change it as an individual.
“I do not know how real their [Villa] ambitions are to get into the Premier League next season, but for Kalinic it’s a step forward.”
Kalinić was part of Croatia’s squad at the 2018 World Cup, where they lost the final to France.
Following the last summer’s tournament in Russia, Danijel Subašić retired from international football and the Aston Villa custodian has been made the first choice keeper for his country.
