Ciprian Tătărușanu Explained

Ciprian Tătărușanu
Full Name:Anton Ciprian Tătărușanu[1]
Birth Date:9 February 1986
Birth Place:Bucharest, Romania
Height:1.98 m[2]
Position:Goalkeeper
Youthyears1:–2003
Youthclubs1:Juventus București
Years1:2003–2006
Clubs1:Juventus București
Caps1:29
Goals1:0
Years2:2007–2008
Clubs2:Gloria Bistrița
Caps2:26
Goals2:0
Years3:2008–2014
Clubs3:Steaua București
Caps3:134
Goals3:0
Years4:2008–2009
Clubs4:Gloria Bistrița (loan)
Caps4:19
Goals4:0
Years5:2014–2017
Clubs5:Fiorentina
Caps5:81
Goals5:0
Years6:2017–2019
Clubs6:Nantes
Caps6:64
Goals6:0
Years7:2019–2020
Clubs7:Lyon
Caps7:2
Goals7:0
Years8:2020–2023
Clubs8:AC Milan
Caps8:23
Goals8:0
Years9:2023–2024
Clubs9:Abha
Caps9:33
Goals9:0
Nationalyears1:2006–2009
Nationalteam1:Romania U21
Nationalcaps1:13
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2009–2020
Nationalteam2:Romania
Nationalcaps2:74
Nationalgoals2:0
Club-Update:27 May 2024

Anton Ciprian Tătărușanu (in Romanian; Moldavian; Moldovan pronounced as /anˈton tʃipriˈan tətəruˈʃanu/; born 9 February 1986) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper.

He started his senior career in Romania with Juventus București, going on to represent Gloria Bistrița and FC Steaua București in the country. Tătărușanu made over 180 appearances in all competitions for the latter, and in the summer of 2014 joined Fiorentina on a free transfer. After three seasons with the Viola, he moved to France with spells at Nantes and Lyon. In September 2020, Tătărușanu transferred back to Italy and signed for AC Milan.

Tătărușanu earned 73 caps for the Romania senior team, with which he made his debut in 2010. He was a member of the squad that participated at the UEFA Euro 2016, starting in all three group stage matches of the competition. Four years later, Tătărușanu announced his retirement from the national team at age 34.

Club career

Early career

Born in Bucharest, Tătărușanu began his football career with local Juventus București. He later joined Gloria Bistrița, making his first division debut in a 1–0 away victory over Unirea Urziceni on 23 May 2007.[3]

Steaua București

In May 2008, it was announced that 22-year-old Tătărușanu was transferred to FC Steaua București for a fee of 1.5 million.[4] [5] He spent the following season on loan at Gloria Bistrița, as the Roș-albaștrii already had a first-choice goalkeeper in the person of Róbinson Zapata.

Tătărușanu made his European debut on 16 July 2009, in a 2–0 victory against Hungarian side Újpest in the UEFA Europa League. On 2 August, he played his first Liga I game for Steaua in a 2–0 win over Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț. On 19 August 2010, he helped his team progress further to the Europa League group stage after making two saves at the penalty shootout against Grasshopper.

In June 2011, it was reported that Napoli submitted a €3 million bid for the transfer of Tătărușanu,[6] but the offer was rejected. During his spell in the capital, he amassed competitive totals of 187 games and won four domestic trophies.

Fiorentina

Tătărușanu refused to renew his contract with Steaua București and left the club on Bosman ruling, subsequently signing a five-year deal with Italian team Fiorentina on 9 June 2014.[7] He made his debut for the Viola on 18 September, in a 3–0 Europa League group stage victory over Guingamp.[8]

He totalled seven appearances in the competition, including a 1–1 round of 32 draw at Tottenham Hotspur.[9] On 6 January 2015, he played his first Serie A match, a 0–1 loss to Parma. Tătărușanu was then chosen in the starting eleven for eight consecutive games, until a 1–1 draw with Torino. He made his last appearance of the 2014–15 season in the final league fixture, a 3–0 win over Chievo.

Following the departure of Neto to Juventus in July 2015, Tătărușanu became the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper for Fiorentina, with his good display earning him the Gazeta Sporturilors 2015 Romanian Footballer of the Year award.

Nantes

In late July 2017, Tătărușanu was transferred by French club Nantes for an undisclosed fee.[10] [11] He made his competitive debut on 12 August in a 0–1 defeat to Marseille, being named man of the match for his performance.[12] [13] On 20 December 2017, he finished second behind Constantin Budescu in the 2017 Romanian Footballer of the Year award.

Tătărușanu amassed 37 appearances in his first campaign with "the Canaries", all in the Ligue 1, and managed to keep twelve clean sheets. In early April 2019, he saved two penalty kicks in successive matches; the first in a 0–3 Coupe de France loss to Paris Saint-Germain, and the second in a 0–1 league loss to Toulouse.[14]

Lyon

On 13 June 2019, Tătărușanu chose to stay in France and joined Olympique Lyonnais as a free agent.[15] He recorded his debut on 18 December that year, in a Coupe de la Ligue 4–1 win against Toulouse. He only played six matches overall during his one-year spell at Lyon, as he was considered a backup option to regular starter Anthony Lopes.

AC Milan

On 12 September 2020, AC Milan announced Tătărușanu as their new player after he agreed to a three-year deal with the club.[16] One day earlier, Lyon had revealed the transfer fee for the 34-year-old to be €500,000.[17]

In the position of second-choice goalkeeper behind Gianluigi Donnarumma, he made his debut on 26 October in a 3–3 league draw with Roma, after the former tested positive for COVID-19.[18] Tătărușanu played in a Derby della Madonnina in the Coppa Italia in January 2021, being praised for his performance in the media despite his team being defeated 2–1 by Inter Milan.[19]

The next season, Milan continued with Tătărușanu as their backup goalkeeper, this time behind Mike Maignan, Milan's acquisition after the departure of Donnarumma to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer. On 13 October 2021, Maignan was operated on his left wrist and ruled out for two and a half months. With Tătărușanu in goal, Milan went on a four-game winning streak in the Serie A against Hellas Verona, Bologna, Torino and Roma. On 7 November, Tătărușanu was Milan's goalkeeper in the Milan Derby, where he made a penalty save against Lautaro Martínez in an eventual 1–1 draw.

Abha

On 10 August 2023, Saudi side Abha announced the signing of Tătărușanu.[20]

International career

In August 2009, Tătărușanu was selected by manager Răzvan Lucescu in Romania's squad for a match with Hungary. His full international debut came on 17 November 2010, in a 1–1 draw against Italy. Tătărușanu became a bronze medalist at the Cyprus International Football Tournament in 2011.[21]

He was picked for the preliminary 28-man UEFA Euro 2016 squad and eventually made it to the final list.[22] He played in all three matches of the eventual group-stage exit, including the opener against hosts France.

On 19 November 2020, the day after earning his 73rd cap for the country in a 1–1 UEFA Nations League draw with Northern Ireland, Tătarușanu publicly announced his retirement from the national team.[23]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Juventus București2003–04Divizia B100010
2004–05Divizia B800080
2005–06Divizia B20000200
2006–07Liga III001010
Total29010300
Gloria Bistrița2006–07Liga I100010
2007–08Liga I2500030280
Gloria Bistrița (loan)2008–09Liga I19010200
Total4501030490
Steaua București2009–10Liga I1501040200
2010–11Liga I3405080470
2011–12Liga I280007010360
2012–13Liga I28000120400
2013–14Liga I2903012010450
Total134090430201880
Fiorentina2014–15Serie A902070180
2015–16Serie A3700020390
2016–17Serie A3502070440
Total810401601010
Nantes2017–18Ligue 13700000370
2018–19Ligue 12702010300
Total6402010670
Lyon2019–20Ligue 12010300060
AC Milan2020–21Serie A10202050
2021–22Serie A60003090
2022–23Serie A160105010230
Total2303010010370
Abha2023–24Saudi Pro League33030360
Career total411024040720305150

International

National teamYearAppsGoals
Romania[24] 201010
201180
2012760
201360
201460
201560
201690
201760
201890
2019100
202060
Total740

Honours

Steaua București

2012–13, 2013–14

2010–11

2013

Lyon

AC Milan

2021–22[25]

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: UEFA Nations League 2019: Booking List before League phase Matchday 5 . 12 . UEFA . 6 November 2018 . 24 November 2020 . 28 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201128170526/https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/0263-10de614232cd-de3927e3d25c-1000/unl_booking_list_before_md6.pdf . dead .
  2. Web site: Ciprian Tătărușanu: Biography . A.C. Milan . 30 August 2022.
  3. Web site: Tatarusanu iese din grupul integralistilor. Tătărușanu gets out of the group who played all matches this season. Liga Profesionistă de Fotbal. Romanian. 17 March 2014. 15 April 2017.
  4. Web site: Tatarusanu s-a transferat la Steaua. Tătărușanu was transferred to Steaua. Romanian. BZI. 27 May 2008. 15 April 2017.
  5. Web site: Analiza lui Babicu': Panti "mai experimentat", Tătăruşanu "mai mobil". Babicu's analysis: Panti "is more experienced", Tătărușanu "is more flexible". ProSport. Romanian. 2 April 2011. 15 April 2017.
  6. Web site: MOSSA A SORPRESA DI BIGON: OFFERTI 3 MLN PER TATARUSANU!. BIGON'S SURPRISE MOVE: 3 MILLION OFFER FOR TĂTĂRUȘANU. CalcioNapoli24. 17 June 2011. Italian.
  7. Web site: TATARUSANU E' UN GIOCATORE DELLA FIORENTINA. TĂTĂRUȘANU IS A FIORENTINA PLAYER. ACF Fiorentina. Italian. 9 June 2014. 9 June 2014.
  8. News: Fiorentina 3–0 Guingamp. UEFA.com. 18 September 2014. 13 April 2019.
  9. News: Tottenham 1–1 Fiorentina. UEFA.com. 19 February 2015. 13 April 2019.
  10. Web site: Official: Tatarusanu to Nantes. Football Italia. 27 July 2017. 27 July 2017.
  11. News: Fiorentina, Tatarusanu ufficiale al Nantes, Corvino tratta Ndombelé. Fiorentina, Tătărușanu to Nantes official, Corvino negotiates for Ndombelé. La Gazzetta dello Sport. Italian. 27 July 2017. 27 July 2017.
  12. News: Ocampos snatches late winner for Marseille in Nantes. ESPN. 12 August 2017. 13 August 2017.
  13. Web site: Nantes-Marseille : l'OM l'emporte sur le fil. Nantes-Marseille: the OM wins by a narrow margin. Le Parisien. French. 12 August 2017. 13 August 2017.
  14. Web site: Ciprian Tatarusanu a mai aparat un penalti in Franta. Ciprian Tătărușanu saved another penalty in France. Ziare. Romanian. 7 April 2019. 13 April 2019.
  15. Web site: Transferts: Ciprian Tatarusanu signe trois ans à Lyon. Transfers: Ciprian Tatarusanu signs for three years with Lyon. L'Équipe. French. 13 June 2019. 11 September 2020.
  16. https://www.sport.ro/stranieri/ciprian-tatarusanu-face-vizita-medicala-pentru-ac-milan-imagini-cu-portarul-nationalei-adus-la-teste.html E gata! Tatarusanu a semnat pe 3 ani dupa ce a trecut vizita medicala: va lua 1,2 milioane de euro pe an! Cu ce numar va juca
  17. https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2020/lyon-agree-to-sell-goalkeeper-ciprian-tatarusanu-for-e500k-to-ac-milan/ Lyon agree to sell goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu for €500k to AC Milan
  18. 26 October 2020. Comunicato Ufficiale: Due giocatori e tre membri del gruppo squadra sono risultati positivi al Covid-19. 19 January 2021. A.C. Milan. it.
  19. https://www.prosport.ro/fotbal-extern/ciprian-tatarusanu-cea-mai-mare-nota-primita-de-la-gazde-in-derby-ul-milan-inter-1-2-19190644 Ciprian Tătărușanu, cea mai mare notă primită de la gazde în derby-ul Milan-Inter 1-2! „Am luptat de la început până la sfârșit”
  20. Web site: نادي أبها يتعاقد الحارس الروماني تاتاروشانو .
  21. News: Cyprus v Romania, 09 February 2011 . 11V11.Com .
  22. News: Romania Euro 2016 squad. The Daily Telegraph. 3 June 2016. 15 April 2017.
  23. https://www.frf.ro/nationale/masculin/echipa-nationala/dupa-73-de-meciuri-pentru-romania-capitanul-ciprian-tatarusanu-se-retrage-din-activitatea-la-echipa-nationala/ După 73 de meciuri pentru România, căpitanul Ciprian Tătărușanu se retrage din activitatea la echipa națională
  24. Web site: Ciprian Tătărușanu. EU-Football.info. 8 October 2017.
  25. Web site: Milan Secure 1st Serie A Title in 11 Years . news18.com . 23 May 2022 . 23 May 2022.
  26. News: Anul lui Gulliver! Surprize în Ancheta Gazetei: care sînt cei cinci laureaţi din Superlativele GSP . Gulliver's year! Surprises in Gazeta's ranking: who are the five nominees of the GSP Superlatives . . Romanian . 23 December 2015 . 15 April 2017.
  27. Web site: SUPERLATIVELE GSP 2017 » Ciprian Tătărușanu, locul 2 la "fotbalistul anului": "Când nu mai am plăcere, nu mai joc!". GSP SUPERLATIVES 2017 » Ciprian Tătărușanu, second place at "Footballer of the Year": "When I won't enjoy it anymore, I'll stop playing!". Gazeta Sporturilor. Romanian. 20 December 2017. 20 December 2017.