Ovidiu Popescu Explained

Ovidiu Popescu
Upright:0.85
Fullname:Ovidiu Marian Popescu
Birth Date:27 February 1994
Birth Place:Reșița, Romania
Height:1.81 m
Position:Defensive midfielder, defender
Currentclub:Universitatea Cluj
Clubnumber:23
Youthyears1:2004–2009
Youthclubs1:Muncitorul Reșița
Youthyears2:2009–2013
Youthclubs2:Școala de Fotbal Marcel Băban Jimbolia
Years1:2013–2014
Clubs1:UTA Arad
Caps1:24
Goals1:6
Years2:2014–2016
Clubs2:ACS Poli Timișoara
Caps2:47
Goals2:5
Years3:2016–2024
Clubs3:FCSB
Caps3:200
Goals3:4
Years4:2024–
Clubs4:Universitatea Cluj
Caps4:5
Goals4:1
Nationalyears1:2015–2016
Nationalteam1:Romania U21
Nationalcaps1:8
Nationalgoals1:1
Nationalyears2:2021
Nationalteam2:Romania
Nationalcaps2:2
Nationalgoals2:0
Pcupdate:12 August 2024
Ntupdate:28 March 2021

Ovidiu Marian Popescu (in Romanian; Moldavian; Moldovan pronounced as /oˈvidju mariˈan poˈpesku/; born 27 February 1994) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder or a defender for Liga I club Universitatea Cluj.

Club career

FCSB

In June 2016, FCSB transferred Popescu for undisclosed fee, with the player penning a five-year deal with a €10 million buyout clause.[1] He made his debut in the Liga I on 12 August against FC Botoșani, a game Steaua went on to win 2–0.[2] On 8 September, also against Botoșani but in the Cupa Ligii, Popescu scored his first goal for the Roș-albaștrii.[3]

He finally scored his first league goal for the club with a free kick in a 2–0 victory over CFR Cluj on 12 March 2017.[4] During early April, following Popescu's good display, it was reported that Celtic and Southampton were interested in signing him.[5]

International career

In June 2015, Popescu was selected in Romania's squad for the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier against Armenia.[6]

He made his debut for Romania national football team on 25 March 2021 in a World Cup qualifier against North Macedonia.[7]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
UTA Arad2013–14Liga II24610256
ACS Poli Timișoara2014–15Liga II22300223
2015–16Liga I2522000272
Total4752000495
FCSB2016–17Liga I271213150373
2017–182401080330
2018–191000020120
2019–202714080391
2020–21350101010380
2021–223001020330
2022–231710030201
2023–243013030361
Total200412131320102486
Universitatea Cluj2024–25Liga I510051
Career total27616151313201032718

International

[8]

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Romania
202120
Total20

Honours

ACS Poli Timișoara

2014–15

FCSB

2023–24

2019–20

Notes and References

  1. Web site: De ce Ovidiu Popescu a fost luat de Steaua. "E liniștit, n-are carnet, am stat 4 ore cu el la masă!". ro. Digi Sport. 4 June 2016.
  2. Web site: Botoșani - Steaua 0–2. ro. Digi Sport. 12 August 2016. 8 April 2017.
  3. Web site: Saptamana de vis pentru Ovidiu Popescu: Dupa golul la Romania U21, a reusit sa marcheze si pentru Steaua! Prima sa reactie. Incredible week for Ovidiu Popescu: After his goal for Romania U21, he also managed to score for Steaua! His first reaction. ro. Sport.ro. 8 September 2016. 8 April 2017.
  4. Web site: Ovidiu Popescu l-a impresionat pe Ilie Dumitrescu: "A dat mai bine decât mine cu Argentina". Ovidiu Popescu impressed Ilie Dumitrescu: "He hit it better than I did against Argentina!". ro. Digi Sport. 13 March 2017. 8 April 2017.
  5. Web site: After missing out on team-mate, should Southampton challenge Celtic for Ovidiu Popescu?. 5 April 2017 . hitc.com. 9 July 2017.
  6. Web site: UNDER 21: LOTUL PENTRU DEBUTUL ÎN PRELIMINARIILE EURO 2017. UNDER 21: SQUAD FOR THE EURO 2017 DEBUT. FRF. 26 May 2015. ro. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234208/http://www.frf.ro/nationale/masculin/romania-u21/under-21-lotul-pentru-debutul-%C3%AEn-preliminariile-euro-2017-6634.html. 3 March 2016.
  7. Web site: FIFA. Romania v North Macedonia game report. 25 March 2021.
  8. Web site: Ovidiu Popescu. European Football. 10 June 2021.
  9. Web site: FOTO&VIDEO | CFR Cluj a câștigat Supercupa României!. PHOTO&VIDEO | CFR Cluj won the Romanian Supercup!. Romanian Football Federation. ro. 15 April 2021. 16 April 2021.