Romanian footballer (born 1994)
Lucian Iulian Cristea (Romanian pronunciation: [lutʃiˈan juliˈan ˈkriste̯a]; born 17 July 1994) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or a defensive midfielder for Liga I club Universitatea Cluj.
Club career
After playing over 110 matches in all competitions for his hometown club Gaz Metan Mediaș, Cristea moved to fellow Liga I team FCSB on 26 February 2019.[1] He signed a five-year contract for a €150,000 transfer fee.[2]
On 13 June 2023, after being released by FCSB, Cristea moved to cross-town rivals Rapid București on a two-year deal.[3] He terminated his agreement with Rapid București on 31 May 2024,[4] and on 5 June Universitatea Cluj announced the signing of Cristea as a free agent.[5]
International career
On 10 June 2019, Cristea made his debut for the Romania national team in a 4–0 win against Malta counting for the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifiers.[6]
Style of play
Cristea has been described as versatile, due to his ability to play equally well as either a centre-back or a defensive midfielder, and has been noted for his aerial prowess.[7]
Career statistics
Club
- As of match played 18 October 2024[8]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club
|
Season
|
League
|
National Cup
|
League Cup
|
Continental
|
Other
|
Total
|
Division |
Apps |
Goals |
Apps |
Goals |
Apps |
Goals |
Apps |
Goals |
Apps |
Goals |
Apps |
Goals
|
Gaz Metan Mediaș
|
2014–15 |
Liga I
|
15 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
— |
— |
16 |
0
|
2015–16 |
Liga II
|
22 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
— |
— |
— |
22 |
1
|
2016–17 |
Liga I
|
28 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
— |
— |
29 |
1
|
2017–18 |
Liga I
|
21 |
1 |
5 |
0 |
— |
— |
— |
26 |
1
|
2018–19 |
Liga I
|
23 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
— |
— |
— |
24 |
3
|
Total
|
109 |
6 |
8 |
0 |
— |
— |
— |
117 |
6
|
FCSB
|
2018–19 |
Liga I
|
10 |
1 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
10 |
1
|
2019–20 |
Liga I
|
28 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
— |
7 |
1 |
— |
38 |
2
|
2020–21 |
Liga I
|
35
|
4
|
0
|
0
|
—
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
36
|
4
|
2021–22 |
Liga I
|
33
|
2
|
1
|
0
|
—
|
1
|
0
|
—
|
35
|
2
|
2022–23 |
Liga I
|
14
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
—
|
0
|
0
|
—
|
14
|
0
|
Total
|
120 |
8 |
4 |
0 |
— |
9 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
133 |
9
|
Rapid București
|
2023–24 |
Liga I
|
14 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
— |
— |
— |
16 |
1
|
Universitatea Cluj
|
2024–25 |
Liga I
|
13 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
— |
— |
— |
13 |
0
|
Career total
|
256 |
14 |
14 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
279 |
16
|
International
- As of match played 4 June 2022[9]
National team |
Year |
Apps |
Goals
|
Romania
|
2019 |
1 |
0
|
2020
|
2
|
0
|
2022 |
1 |
0
|
Total |
4 |
0
|
Honours
Gaz Metan Mediaș[8]
FCSB[8]
Individual
References
External links