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Denis Drăguș

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Denis Drăguș
Drăguș with Viitorul Constanța in 2017
Personal information
Full name Denis Mihai Drăguș
Date of birth (1999-07-06) 6 July 1999 (age 25)
Place of birth Bucharest, Romania
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Trabzonspor
Number 70
Youth career
2010–2012 Sfântul Pantelimon
2012–2014 Pro Luceafărul București
2014–2017 Gheorghe Hagi Academy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2019 Viitorul Constanța 46 (8)
2019–2024 Standard Liège 55 (11)
2020–2021 → Crotone (loan) 9 (0)
2023 → Genoa (loan) 5 (0)
2023–2024 → Gaziantep (loan) 32 (14)
2024– Trabzonspor 9 (0)
International career‡
2016 Romania U18 3 (0)
2018 Romania U19 3 (0)
2018–2020 Romania U21 8 (2)
2018– Romania 19 (5)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 27 October 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15 October 2024

Denis Mihai Drăguș (Romanian pronunciation: [ˈdenis miˈhaj drəˈguʃ]; born 6 July 1999) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Süper Lig club Trabzonspor and the Romania national team.

Drăguș began his senior career at Viitorul Constanța, before moving abroad to Standard Liège in 2019. After five years under contract at the Belgian club, which included several loan spells in Italy and Turkey, he transferred to Trabzonspor in 2024.

Internationally, Drăguș recorded his full debut for Romania in September 2018, in a 2–2 draw with Serbia. He represented his country in the UEFA Euro 2024, achieving first place in their group and advancing to the round of 16.

Club career

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Viitorul Constanța

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Born in Bucharest, Drăguș joined the academy of Viitorul Constanța in 2014. He made his senior debut for the club on 29 October 2015, aged 16, coming on as a 85th-minute substitute for Adnan Aganović in a 1–0 Cupa României win over Botoșani.

Drăguș recorded his debut in European competitions on 24 August 2017, replacing George Țucudean in the 24th minute of a 0–4 away loss to Red Bull Salzburg counting for the UEFA Europa League play-off round.[1] Three days later, he played his first Liga I game, also coming off the bench in a 1–2 loss to Concordia Chiajna.[2]

On 28 November 2017, Drăguș scored his first career goal in a 2–3 away defeat to Botoșani in the national cup. He netted his first Europa League goal on 12 July 2018, opening a 2–0 away victory over Racing FC in the first qualifying round.[3] On the 26th that month, he scored both goals in a 2–2 second qualifying round draw with Vitesse,[4] and one week later scored again in a 1–3 away loss at the GelreDome.[5]

Drăguș became a regular starter at Viitorul Constanța in the 2018–19 season, during which he amassed 31 matches and seven goals in the league championship.

Standard Liège

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On 7 August 2019, Drăguș joined Belgian team Standard Liège in a deal reportedly worth €2 million plus 30% interest on a future transfer.[6][7] He recorded his debut for Les Rouches on 1 September 2019, in a 0–1 loss to rivals Anderlecht at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium.

On 15 September 2020, Drăguș agreed to a one-season loan with an option to buy at Crotone.[8] He made his Serie A debut five days later, in a 4–1 defeat to Genoa. Drăguș made a total of nine appearances during his time in Italy, starting only once. Upon his return to Liège, he netted his first goal for Standard in a 5–2 loss to Antwerp on 8 August 2021.

On 16 January 2022, Drăguș scored an 89th-minute equaliser in a 1–1 draw at Anderlecht.[9] He achieved his highest goal tally at Standard in the 2021–22 campaign, amassing six goals from 28 league appearances. Drăguș moved on loan with an option to buy to Serie B club Genoa on 26 January 2023, but appeared sparringly during his five months at the club.[10]

On 13 September 2023, amid rumours of a transfer to Rapid București in his home country,[11] Standard sent Drăguș on a season-long loan to Süper Lig team Gaziantep.[12][13] Deployed as a main striker by his coach and compatriot Marius Șumudică, he played 32 games and scored 14 goals in the national championship.[14]

Trabzonspor

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On 25 June 2024, Turkish side Trabzonspor announced the signing of Drăguș for a rumoured transfer fee of €1.7 million.[15] He registered his debut on 25 July, in a 2–0 away win over Ružomberok in the Europa League second qualifying round,[16] and one week later scored the only goal of the second leg.[17]

International career

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On 10 September 2018, Drăguș made his debut for the Romania national team in a 2–2 UEFA Nations League draw with Serbia. The following year, he was intended to represent the under-21 side in the 2019 European Championship, but was sidelined from the squad due to a calcaneus fracture.[18]

Drăguș scored his first senior international goal on 17 November 2022, in a 1–2 friendly loss to Slovenia at Cluj Arena.[19] He netted again three days later, in a 5–0 away thrashing of Moldova.

On 7 June 2024, Drăguș was named in Romania's squad for Euro 2024.[20] Ten days later, he scored a goal in a 3–0 win over Ukraine in the opening group match, aiding to his country's first victory in the competition in 24 years.[21] He started in all four games of the tournament, as Romania won its group but was eliminated by the Netherlands in the round of 16.[22]

Style of play

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Drăguș is a dynamic and versatile forward, beginning his career as a winger but also performing proficiently as a main striker.[14][23] According to his Trabzonspor coach Şenol Güneş, he possesses a combination of talent, physical strength, and speed, which makes him a constant threat to opposing defences. Güneș also noted that while Drăguș excels in one-on-one situations and frequently finds himself in goalscoring opportunities, his finishing can be inconsistent.[24]

Personal life

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Drăguș's father, Mihai, was also a professional footballer who played in South Korea and Russia, as well as in his home country.[25]

Drăguș and his wife Vanessa have two children together. In 2021, following the birth of their first daughter, he did not invite his parents to attend her baptism.[26][27]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 27 October 2024[28]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Viitorul Constanța 2015–16 Liga I 0 0 1 0 — — 1 0
2017–18 Liga I 14 1 1 1 1 0 — 16 2
2018–19 Liga I 31 7 3 0 4 4 — 38 11
2019–20 Liga I 1 0 — 1 0 — 2 0
Total 46 8 5 1 6 4 — 57 13
Standard Liège 2019–20 Belgian First Division A 2 0 2 0 0 0 — 4 0
2021–22 Belgian First Division A 28 6 2 0 — — 30 6
2022–23 Belgian First Division A 19 4 2 0 — — 21 4
2023–24 Belgian First Division A 6 1 — — — 6 1
Total 55 11 6 0 0 0 — 61 11
Crotone (loan) 2020–21 Serie A 9 0 0 0 — — 9 0
Genoa (loan) 2022–23 Serie B 5 0 — — — 5 0
Gaziantep (loan) 2023–24 Süper Lig 32 14 3 1 — — 35 15
Trabzonspor 2024–25 Süper Lig 9 0 0 0 6 1 — 15 1
Career total 156 33 14 2 12 5 — 183 40

International

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As of match played 15 October 2024[29]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Romania 2018 2 0
2022 3 2
2023 3 0
2024 11 3
Total 19 5
Scores and results list Romania's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Drăguș goal.[29]
List of international goals scored by Denis Drăguș
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 17 November 2022 Cluj Arena, Cluj-Napoca, Romania  Slovenia 1–2 1–2 Friendly
2. 20 November 2022 Zimbru Stadium, Chișinău, Moldova  Moldova 2–0 5–0
3. 17 June 2024 Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany  Ukraine 3–0 3–0 UEFA Euro 2024
4. 6 September 2024 Fadil Vokrri Stadium, Pristina, Kosovo  Kosovo 3–0 3–0 2024–25 UEFA Nations League C
5. 15 October 2024 Darius and Girėnas Stadium, Kaunas, Lithuania  Lithuania 2–1 2–1

Honours

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Viitorul Constanța[28]

References

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  1. ^ "Salzburg - Viitorul Constanța 4–0". UEFA.com. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  2. ^ "Denis Drăguş, al 31-lea jucător al Academiei Hagi care a debutat în Liga 1 cu FC Viitorul (galerie foto)" [Denis Drăguș, the 31st player of the Hagi Academy who made his debut in Liga 1 with FC Viitorul (photo gallery)] (in Romanian). Ziarul de Constanța. 29 August 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  3. ^ "Racing Union - Viitorul Constanța 0–2". UEFA.com. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  4. ^ "Viitorul Constanța - Vitesse 2–2". UEFA.com. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  5. ^ "Vitesse - Viitorul Constanța 3–1". UEFA.com. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  6. ^ "Denis DRAGUS rejoint les Rouches" [Denis DRĂGUȘ joins the Reds] (in French). Standard Liège. 7 August 2019.
  7. ^ "VIDEO + FOTO Denis Drăguș a fost prezentat OFICIAL la Standard Liege! Cum au anunțat belgienii transferul" [VIDEO + PHOTO Denis Drăguș was OFFICIALLY presented at Standard Liège! How the Belgians announced the transfer]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 7 August 2019.
  8. ^ "Dragus è del Crotone. Benvenuto Denis!" [Drăguș is of Crotone. Welcome Denis!] (in Italian). FC Crotone. 14 September 2020.
  9. ^ "Denis Drăguș, gol crucial pentru Standard Liege în meciul cu Anderlecht" [Denis Drăguș, crucial goal for Standard Liège in the match against Anderlecht] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 16 January 2022.
  10. ^ "DENIS DRAGUSIN E' UN GIOCATORE DEL GENOA" [DENIS DRĂGUȘ IS A GENOA PLAYER] (in Italian). Genoa C.F.C. 26 January 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  11. ^ "EXCLUSIV Denis Drăguș, la cel mai bun sezon din carieră: cum l-a descris pe Marius Șumudică, de ce a refuzat Rapidul și două predicții" [EXCLUSIVE Denis Drăguș, during the peak season of his career: how he characterised Marius Șumudică, why he rejected Rapid, and two predictions] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 12 February 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  12. ^ "Transfer| Denis Dragus Gazìantep'te!" [Transfer| Denis Drăguș in Gaziantep!] (in Turkish). Gaziantep FK. 13 September 2023.
  13. ^ "Denis Dragus en prêt au Gaziantep FK" [Denis Drăguș on loan to Gaziantep FK] (in French). Standard Liège. 13 September 2023.
  14. ^ a b "Marius Șumudică îi ia apărarea lui Denis Drăguș și îl distruge pe unul dintre atacanții lui Edi Iordănescu: "Niciodată nu cred că ar putea fi o soluție înaintea lui"" [Marius Șumudică defends Denis Drăguș and destroys one of Edi Iordănescu's strikers: "I don't think he could ever be a solution before him"] (in Romanian). ProSport. 28 March 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024. If Drăguș scored 13 goals in Turkey as a centre-forward, wouldn't it have been better to deploy him in that position against Northern Ireland?
  15. ^ "Turcii au răbufnit după ce Denis Drăguș a fost prezentat oficial la noua sa echipă" [The Turks roared after Denis Drăguș was officially presented by his new team] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 25 June 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  16. ^ "Ružomberok - Trabzonspor 0–2". UEFA.com. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  17. ^ "Trabzonspor - Ružomberok 1–0". UEFA.com. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  18. ^ "Denis Drăguș a suferit o fractură și ratează EURO U21" [Denis Drăguș sustained a fracture and misses the EURO U21]. România Liberă (in Romanian). 15 June 2019.
  19. ^ "Romania 1–2 Slovenia". ESPN. 17 November 2022.
  20. ^ "Lotul României pentru EURO 2024" [Romania's squad for EURO 2024] (in Romanian). Romanian Football Federation. 7 June 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  21. ^ Matar, Daniella (17 June 2024). "Romania earns first Euros win in 24 years while Ukraine apologizes for 3-0 loss". AP News.
  22. ^ "Romania 0–3 Netherlands: Donyell Malen and Cody Gakpo score as Dutch reach quarters". BBC. 2 July 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  23. ^ "EXCLUSIV "Unde îți place să joci mai mult? Vârf sau extremă?" Denis Drăguș a elucidat misterul" [EXCLUSIVE "Where do you like to play better? Striker or winger?" Denis Drăguș has clarified the mystery] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 5 July 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  24. ^ "Antrenorul lui Trabzonspor și-a pierdut răbdarea cu Denis Drăguș și i-a transmis un avertisment public" [Trabzonspor's coach lost patience with Denis Draguș and sent him a public warning] (in Romanian). Sport.ro. 20 September 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  25. ^ "Familia sport » De la fondare, Hagi a adus la gruparea constănțeană o mulțime de fotbaliști ai căror tați, unchi sau rude apropiate au fost sportivi de performanță" [The sports families » Since its founding, Hagi has brought to the Constanța team many footballers whose fathers, uncles or close relatives were athletes]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 30 July 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  26. ^ "Denis Drăguș a devenit tată! Fotbalistul lui Crotone e în al nouălea cer: "Micuța noastră iubire!" Iubita românului i-a dat pe spate pe italieni | GALERIE FOTO" [Denis Drăguș has become a father! Crotone's footballer is in the ninth heaven: "Our little love!" The Romanian's girlfriend amazed the Italians | PHOTO GALLERY] (in Romanian). ProSport. 18 January 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  27. ^ "Ce familie frumoasă are Denis Drăguș. Soția fotbalistului este o femeie superbă" [What a beautiful family Denis Drăguș has. The footballer's wife is a gorgeous woman] (in Romanian). Playtech.ro. 18 June 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  28. ^ a b Denis Drăguș at Soccerway. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  29. ^ a b "Denis Drăguș". European Football. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
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