Adrian Cristea
Cristea playing for Romania
Personal information
Date of birth (1983-11-30) 30 November 1983 (age 40)
Place of birth Iași, Romania
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Winger
Youth career
Politehnica Iași
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2004 Politehnica Iași 93 (18)
2004–2010 Dinamo București 161 (27)
2011–2012 Universitatea Cluj 42 (11)
2012–2013 Petrolul Ploiești 15 (1)
2013 → Standard Liège (loan) 8 (0)
2013–2014 Steaua București 9 (1)
2014–2017 Concordia Chiajna 23 (1)
Total 356 (59)
International career
2003–2006 Romania U21 7 (0)
2007–2011 Romania 9 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Adrian Cristea (born 30 November 1983) is a Romanian retired professional footballer who played as a winger.

Club career

Adrian Cristea, nicknamed "Prințul" (The Prince), started his career in his hometown, Iași, playing in the lower leagues for Politehnica.[1][2][3] After Politehnica won its promotion from Divizia B, Cristea made his Divizia A debut on 30 July 2004 in a 2–1 loss against Rapid București.[1][2] After scoring 2 goals in 15 matches in the first half of the 2004–05 season, he was transferred to Dinamo București where he was wanted by coach Ioan Andone.[1][2][4] He spent 7 seasons at Dinamo, appearing in 161 Liga I matches in which he scored 27 goals, winning the Liga I 2006–07 title with coach Mircea Rednic, a cup and a supercup.[1][2][5] He also played 31 matches in which he scored 4 goals in European competitions for The Red Dogs, helping them reach the sixteenths-finals in the 2006–07 UEFA Cup where they were eliminated with 3–1 on aggregate by Benfica and fulfill "The wonder from Liberec" after winning with 3–0 the away game against Slovan Liberec, as the first leg was lost with the same score, qualifying after the penalty shoot-out to the group stage of the 2009–10 Europa League.[1][2][6][7] In December 2010, Cristea was sold to Universitatea Cluj, for a total fee estimated by the Romanian press between €1.5 million and €2 million.[8][9][10] After one year and a half in which he scored 11 goals in 42 Liga I matches, in the summer of 2012, he was transferred to Petrolul Ploiești, with 11 other players from Universitatea Cluj, when the owner of the Cluj team, left the club in order to take control of Petrolul.[1][2][11][12] His first experience abroad came in 2013, when he went to play alongside fellow Romanian George Țucudean, being loaned to Standard Liège, where he was wanted by Mircea Rednic, a coach that worked with him at Petrolul and Dinamo.[13][14][15][16] On 30 July 2013, after terminating his contract with Petrolul Ploiești, Cristea signed a two-year contract with fellow Romanian Liga I club Steaua București.[17][18][19] However, Cristea failed to win a place in the first team, being used by coach Laurențiu Reghecampf in only 9 Liga I matches in which he scored one goal as The Military Men won the title and played in both legs of the 2013–14 Champions League play-off where the team eliminated Legia Warsaw, reaching the group stage where he made one appearance when he was sent on the field in the 73rd minute in order to replace Leandro Tatu in a 3–0 away loss against Schalke 04, ending his contract with Steaua in April 2014.[1][2][5][20][21][22] In September 2014, Cristea reached an agreement with Concordia Chiajna, where he made his last Liga I appearances, having a total of 266 games with 40 goals scored in the competition.[1][2][23]

International career

Adrian Cristea played 9 games for Romania, making his debut on 7 February 2007 when coach Victor Pițurcă introduced him at halftime to replace Ovidiu Petre in a friendly which ended with a 2–0 victory against Moldova.[24][25] His following game was a 3–0 victory against Luxembourg at the successful Euro 2008 qualifiers, also appearing in the second leg against Luxembourg, which ended with a 2–0 victory.[24] In 2008, he was called by Victor Pițurcă in the squad for the 2008 European Championship, but didn't receive a chance to play.[2] He played in a 1–1 against Austria and a 5–0 loss against Serbia at the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, making his last appearance for the national team in a 2–2 against Belarus at the Euro 2012 qualifiers.[24]

On 25 March 2008, he was decorated by the president of Romania, Traian Băsescu, for his performance in the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying Group G, where Romania managed to qualify to UEFA Euro 2008 Group C. He received Medalia "Meritul Sportiv" – ("The Sportive Merit" Medal) class III.[26][27]

After retirement

After he ended his football career, Adrian Cristea worked as a fashion designer, opening a luxury clothing workshop in Bucharest.[2]

Career statistics

As of 9 June 2017[1][2][28]

Club Season League Cup Europe Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Politehnica Iaşi 2001–02 28 5 1 0 — — 29 5
2002–03 27 5 4 0 — — 31 5
2003–04 23 6 2 0 — — 25 2
2004–05 15 2 0 0 — — 15 2
Total 93 18 7 0 — — 100 18
Dinamo București 2004–05 10 1 2 0 0 0 — 12 1
2005–06 15 0 2 0 3 0 — 20 0
2006–07 28 3 2 0 10 3 1 0 41 6
2007–08 32 8 1 0 4 0 — 37 8
2008–09 31 5 3 1 2 0 — 36 6
2009–10 28 3 4 0 8 0 — 40 3
2010–11 17 7 1 0 4 1 — 22 8
Total 161 27 15 1 31 4 1 0 208 32
Universitatea Cluj 2010–11 13 3 0 0 — — 13 3
2011–12 29 8 0 0 — — 29 8
Total 42 11 0 0 — — 42 11
Petrolul Ploiești 2012–13 15 1 3 2 0 0 1 0 19 3
Standard Liège 2012–13 8 0 0 0 0 0 — 8 0
Steaua București 2013–14 9 1 0 0 3 0 — 12 1
Concordia Chiajna 2014–15 13 1 1 0 — — 14 1
2015–16 5 0 1 0 — — 6 0
2016–17 5 0 1 0 — 1 0 7 0
Total 23 1 3 0 — 1 0 27 1
Career total 351 59 28 3 34 4 3 0 416 66

Honours

Politehnica Iași

Dinamo București

Steaua București

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Adrian Cristea at RomanianSoccer.ro (in Romanian)
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Adrian Cristea, un fotbalist cu stofă. "Am făcut din talent totul, am dus o viață haotică". Statuia lui Giovani, cum primea banii de la Borcea, cât a câștigat de la FCSB, cea mai frumoasă femeie, atelierul de haine și o declarație: "De cine n-am putut să trec prin dribling!? Nu… nu există!"" [Adrian Cristea, a football player with cloth. "I made everything out of talent, I led a chaotic life." Giovani's statue, how he received the money from Borcea, how much he earned from FCSB, the most beautiful woman, the clothes workshop and a statement: "Who couldn't I dribble through ?? No… doesn't exist!"] (in Romanian). Prosport.ro. 10 May 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  3. ^ "Te-ai intrebat vreodata de ce lui Adrian Cristea i se spune "Printul"? Evident ca i se trage de la o femeie pe care a iubit-o!" [Have you ever wondered why Adrian Cristea is called "The Prince"? Obviously it's from a woman he loved!] (in Romanian). Wowbiz.ro. 12 January 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  4. ^ "Adrian Cristea: "O să-mi fie dor de colegi, nu şi de fani"" [Adrian Cristea: "I will miss my colleagues, but not the fans"] (in Romanian). Adevarul.ro. 10 September 2009. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Romania National Champions". RomanianSoccer. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  6. ^ "Dinamo - Benfica 1-2" (in Romanian). Hotnews.ro. 22 February 2007. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  7. ^ "Nouă ani de la "Minunea de la Liberec"! Povestea unei performanțe istorice și cum a reușit Florin Matache să intre în istorie" [Nine years since the "Miracle from Liberec"! The story of a historic performance and how Florin Matache managed to make history] (in Romanian). Prosport.ro. 27 August 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  8. ^ "S-a decis: Adrian Cristea pleacă la "U" Cluj! Mijlocașul va avea un salariu de 3 ori mai mare decât lua la Dinamo" [It was decided: Adrian Cristea goes to "U" Cluj! The midfielder will have a salary 3 times higher than he had at Dinamo] (in Romanian). Prosport.ro. 18 December 2010. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  9. ^ "E oficial! Adrian Cristea a semnat un contract cu U Cluj, valabil 3 ani jumătate" [It's official! Adrian Cristea signed a contract with U Cluj, valid for 3 and a half years] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 20 December 2010. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  10. ^ "BOMBA ZILEI! Dinamo l-a vandut pe Adrian Cristea la U Cluj pe 2 milioane de euro!" [BOMB OF THE DAY! Dinamo sold Adrian Cristea to U Cluj for 2 million euros!] (in Romanian). Sport.ro. 17 December 2010. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  11. ^ "Ingineriile lui Walter: Cristea a plecat gratis de la U Cluj la Petrolul Ploiesti" [Walter's engineering: Cristea left for free from U Cluj to Petrolul Ploiesti] (in Romanian). Bzi.ro. 16 November 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  12. ^ "Inca un scandal in Liga 1 - Perchezitii la U Cluj si Petrolul in legatura cu transferurile de jucatori efecuate de Florian Walter" [Another scandal in League 1 - Searches at U Cluj and Petrolul in connection with the transfers of the players made by Florian Walter] (in Romanian). Sport.hotnews.ro. 14 November 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  13. ^ "Adrian Cristea rouche". standard.be. Standard Liège. 28 January 2013. Archived from the original on 11 February 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  14. ^ "VIDEO EXCLUSIV Primul interviu cu Adrian Cristea, după transferul la Standard" [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO The first interview with Adrian Cristea, after the transfer to Standard] (in Romanian). Digisport.ro. 25 January 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  15. ^ "VIDEO Adrian Cristea și Țucudean trag tare să-l impresioneze pe Rednic" [VIDEO Adrian Cristea and Țucudean work hard to impress Rednic] (in Romanian). Digisport.ro. 8 February 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  16. ^ "Cu Ţucudean şi Cristea pe teren, Standardul lui Rednic a pierdut acasă cu Mons, 0-1" [With Ţucudean and Cristea on the field, Rednic's Standard lost at home to Mons, 0-1] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 10 February 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  17. ^ "EXCLUSIV – Cristea, într-un moment de cumpănă al carierei: "Sunt timid, nu neînțeles". 'Prințul', cu lumini și umbre" [EXCLUSIVE - Cristea, at a turning point in her career: "I'm shy, I'm not misunderstood". The 'prince', with lights and shadows] (in Romanian). Prosport.ro. 19 July 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  18. ^ "EXCLUSIV Transfer bombă la Steaua! Adrian Cristea a semnat cu roş-albaştrii! Ce i-a transmis Becali jucătorului" [EXCLUSIVE Bomb transfer to Steaua! Adrian Cristea signed with the red-blues! What message Becali sent to the player] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 30 July 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  19. ^ "VIDEO EXCLUSIV Adrian Cristea: "Transferul la Steaua m-a luat prin surprindere chiar și pe mine!"" [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO Adrian Cristea: "The transfer to Steaua took me by surprise!"] (in Romanian). Digisport.ro. 31 July 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  20. ^ "Nu mai joacă, dar vrea bani! Adrian Cristea a dat Steaua în judecată pentru prima de UEFA Champions League" [He doesn't play anymore, but he wants money! Adrian Cristea sued Steaua for the UEFA Champions League qualification bonus] (in Romanian). Digisport.ro. 14 December 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  21. ^ "Schalke - Steaua 3-0. Roş-albaştrii au pierdut categoric primul meci din grupele CL" [Schalke - Steaua 3-0. The red-blues categorically lost the first match in the CL groups] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 18 September 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  22. ^ "Adrian Cristea nu mai e jucătorul Stelei. Fotbalistul se va alege cu despăgubiri după rezilierea contractului". Andrei Militaru. Adevărul. 11 April 2014. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  23. ^ "OFICIAL: Adrian Cristea va juca la Chiajna. A semnat până la finalul sezonului" [OFFICIAL: Adrian Cristea will play in Chiajna. He signed until the end of the season] (in Romanian). Digisport.ro. 9 September 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  24. ^ a b c "Adrian Cristea". European Football. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  25. ^ "Romania 2-0 Moldova". European Football. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  26. ^ "DECRET privind conferirea Ordinului și Medaliei Meritul Sportiv" (PDF). Monitorul Oficial al României Nr. 241. 28 March 2008. p. 3. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  27. ^ "Decorarea unor personalități ale fotbalului românesc". Administrația Prezidențială. 25 March 2008. Archived from the original on 12 September 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  28. ^ "Adrian Cristea". soccerway.com. Retrieved 17 July 2017.

External links

Romania squad – UEFA Euro 2008
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