Alexandru Pop (footballer, born 2000) explained

Alexandru Pop
Fullname:Alexandru Mihai Constantin Pop
Upright:0.75
Birth Date:2000 2, df=yes
Birth Place:Buenos Aires, Argentina
Height:1.73 m
Position:Forward
Currentclub:Oțelul Galați
Clubnumber:11
Youthclubs1:CFR Cluj
Youthyears2:–2016
Youthclubs2:Universitatea Cluj
Youthyears3:2016–2019
Youthclubs3:Gheorghe Hagi Academy
Years1:2015–2016
Caps1:3
Goals1:0
Years2:2019–2021
Caps2:0
Goals2:0
Years3:2019–2021
Clubs3:Universitatea Cluj (loan)
Caps3:36
Goals3:8
Years4:2021–2022
Clubs4:Farul Constanța
Caps4:0
Goals4:0
Years5:2021–2022
Clubs5:Unirea Dej (loan)
Caps5:40
Goals5:11
Years6:2023
Clubs6:Unirea Dej
Caps6:13
Goals6:4
Years7:2023–
Clubs7:Oțelul Galați
Caps7:41
Goals7:12
Nationalyears1:2017
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2017–2018
Nationalcaps2:5
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2018
Nationalcaps3:2
Nationalgoals3:0
Pcupdate:10 August 2024

Alexandru Mihai Constantin Pop (born 1 February 2000) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Liga I club Oțelul Galați.

Club career

Early career

Before starting his junior career with CFR Cluj at age seven, Pop practiced swimming, karate, and dancesport, respectively.[1] He then moved to city rivals Universitatea Cluj, for which he made his senior debut at the age of 16 years and 2 months, in a 2–0 Liga II win over Sportul Snagov on 20 April 2016.

Viitorul Constanța and loans

Pop had a one-week try-out at Italian club Roma in the summer of 2016, but nothing came of it, and instead joined Viitorul Constanța's academy.[2] He returned to Universitatea Cluj on loan in the summer of 2019,[3] playing 39 games and scoring four goals in all competitions during his two-year stint back in the Liga II.

Pop represented Unirea Dej between 2021 and 2023, also in the second division. In the 2022–23 season, he totalled nine goals from 29 league appearances, as his side finished fourth in the promotion play-offs.

Oțelul Galați

On 5 June 2023, Pop agreed to a one-year deal with Oțelul Galați, newly promoted to the Liga I.[4] He made his competitive debut on 14 July, equalising in a 1–1 home league draw to UTA Arad.[5] On 12 August, he scored his third goal of the season in a 1–1 draw to his boyhood club Universitatea Cluj.

Pop scored once more against Universitatea Cluj on 17 December 2023, his goal being the only one of the away match. By the turn of the year, he became the second-best goal scorer of the league with nine goals, sharing the position with several other players. On 4 January 2024, he signed a contract extension lasting until 30 June 2025.[6]

On 27 February 2024, Pop converted a free kick in a 2–2 home draw with his former youth side CFR Cluj.[7]

Personal life

Pop was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Romanian parents from Huedin, Cluj County. They moved back to Romania when he was around two or three years old.[1] [8]

Pop has a bachelor's degree in public relations from the Babeș-Bolyai University.[1]

Honours

Oțelul Galați

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Interviu cu Alexandru Pop (Oțelul Galați). Interview with Alexandru Pop (Oțelul Galați). Liga Profesionistă de Fotbal. ro. 10 November 2023. 16 January 2024.
  2. News: El este Alex Pop, puştiul care a dat gol de la 50 de metri. S-a născut în Buenos Aires, a luat 9.71 la BAC şi a fost în probe la AS Roma: "E un plus să-ţi dezvolţi mintea". He is Alex Pop, the kid who scored from 50 meters. He was born in Buenos Aires, got 9.71 GED and had trials at AS Roma: "It's a bonus to develop your mind". Orange Sport. ro. 12 August 2019. 19 November 2023.
  3. News: U Cluj nu renunță la promovare și continuă să se întărească » "Șepcile Roșii" l-au transferat pe Alex Pop de la Viitorul. U Cluj does not give up on promotion and continues to strengthen itself » "The Red Caps" transferred Alex Pop from Viitorul. ro. Gazeta Sporturilor. 19 November 2023.
  4. Web site: Oțelul Galați a anunțat primul transfer după revenirea în Liga 1. Oțelul Galati announced its first transfer after returning to Liga 1. Digi Sport. ro. 5 June 2023.
  5. News: Oțelul Galați - UTA Arad 1-1, Dorinel Munteanu și Mircea Rednic au deschis noul sezon cu un rezultat de egalitate!. Oțelul Galati - UTA Arad 1–1, Dorinel Munteanu and Mircea Rednic opened the new season with a draw!. Sport.ro. 14 July 2023. 19 November 2023.
  6. Web site: Alex Pop și-a prelungit contractul. Alex Pop extended his contract. ASC Oțelul Galați. 7 February 2024. ro. 4 January 2024.
  7. Web site: VIDEO+FOTO Golul de excepție din Superliga l-a impresionat pe Ilie Dumitrescu: "Fabulos! A dat mai bine ca mine". VIDEO+PHOTO The exceptional Superliga goal impressed Ilie Dumitrescu: "Fabulous! He hit it better than I did". Gazeta Sporturilor. ro. 27 February 2024. 10 March 2024.
  8. Web site: Tricolorul născut în Argentina! Fantastica poveste a lui Alex Pop, fotbalistul Unirii Dej: "Aș spune că sunt stilul Julian Alvarez". The tricolour born in Argentina! The fantastic story of Alex Pop, the Unirii Dej footballer: "I would say that I have the style of Julián Álvarez". ProSport. ro. 19 February 2023.