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Alexandru Cicâldău

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Alexandru Cicâldău
Cicâldău with Galatasaray in 2021
Personal information
Date of birth (1997-07-08) 8 July 1997 (age 27)
Place of birth Medgidia, Romania[1]
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Galatasaray
Number 8
Youth career
2004–2009 Marcon Star Medgidia
2009–2015 Gheorghe Hagi Academy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2018 Viitorul Constanța 42 (1)
2018–2021 Universitatea Craiova 106 (29)
2021– Galatasaray 33 (4)
2022–2023 → Ittihad Kalba (loan) 26 (4)
2023–2024 → Konyaspor (loan) 31 (1)
International career‡
2015 Romania U18 1 (0)
2015–2016 Romania U19 9 (1)
2017–2019 Romania U21 15 (2)
2018– Romania 37 (4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 27 April 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 7 June 2024

Alexandru Cicâldău (Romanian pronunciation: [alekˈsandru tʃikɨlˈdəw]; born 8 July 1997) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Süper Lig club Galatasaray, and the Romania national team.

Cicâldău started his career as a senior at Viitorul Constanța, and in the summer of 2018 transferred to Universitatea Craiova. He totalled over 100 games in the league championship and won two domestic trophies with the latter, before moving abroad to Galatasaray in 2021.

Internationally, Cicâldau registered his full debut for Romania in a 2–1 friendly defeat of Israel in March 2018. The following year, he started in all games for the under-21 side as they reached the semi-finals of the UEFA European Championship.

Club career

Early career and Viitorul Constanța

Cicâldău was raised in Satu Nou, a village near Medgidia, Constanța County, and started practising football at the age of eight. After initially playing at Marcon Star Medgidia, he joined the Gheorghe Hagi Academy, which served as the youth setup of Viitorul Constanța.[3]

Cicâldău made his debut in the first division for Viitorul on 31 March 2016, aged 18, in a 1–1 away draw at ASA Târgu Mureș.[4] He became a regular starter for the club in the 2017–18 season,[5] amassing 38 appearances and one goal in all competitions.

Universitatea Craiova

On 6 July 2018, Cicâldău agreed to a four-year contract with Universitatea Craiova, being assigned the number 10 shirt.[6] Press reported the fee at figures between €750,000 and €1 million plus interest.[3][7][8] He made his first appearance for "the White-Blues" eight days later, playing the full match as CFR Cluj won 1–0 in the Supercupa României.[9]

Cicâldău netted his first goal in a 3–0 league win over Astra Giurgiu, on 26 October.[10] On 31 March 2019, he scored a header in a 2–3 away loss to title contenders FCSB.[11] He recorded his first goal in European competitions on 18 July that year, opening a 3–2 home victory over Sabail in the second leg of the UEFA Europa League first qualifying round.[12] After prolonged speculation regarding offers from foreign teams,[13] in September he signed a contract extension which would have run until 2025.[14]

On 31 January 2020, in the opening game of the calendar year, Cicâldau scored twice before half-time in a 3–1 defeat of Gaz Metan Mediaș; the second goal came from a free kick and the double was the first in his professional career.[15] On 28 June, he scored the winner in a 3–2 away victory over two-time defending champions CFR Cluj,[16] and two fixtures later converted a penalty in a 2–1 win against FCSB.[17] Cicâldau ended the Liga I season with 14 goals, as Craiova lost the league title to CFR in the last home game.[18]

During the 2020–21 season, Cicâldau amassed 12 goals from 42 appearances in all competitions, and won his first national cup after a 3–2 victory over Astra Giurgiu in the final.[19] On 10 July 2021, he started in the 4–2 penalty shoot-out win over CFR Cluj in the subsequent Supercupa României.[20]

Galatasaray

On 24 July 2021, Cicâldău joined Turkish club Galatasaray on a five-year deal in a transfer worth €6.5 million plus €2 million in bonuses.[21][22] He made his debut on 16 August, in a 2–0 Süper Lig defeat of Giresunspor in which he converted a penalty.[23] On 16 September, he played his first European match for the team in a 1–0 home victory over Lazio in the Europa League group stage.[24]

On 25 October 2021, Cicâldău opened the scoring in a 1–2 derby loss to reigning champions Beşiktaş at Vodafone Park.[25] One month later, he netted and provoked an own goal in the first half of a 4–2 Europa League defeat of Marseille.[26] On 17 March 2022, he assisted Galatasaray's only goal in a 1–2 loss to Barcelona in the round of 16 of the same competition.[27]

Loan to Ittihad Kalba and Konyaspor

On 27 August 2022, Cicâldău was loaned out to the Emirati club Ittihad Kelba for one season.[28]

On 1 August 2023, Cicâldău was loaned out again to fellow Süper Lig side Konyaspor.[29]

International career

Cicâldău received his first call up for the Romania senior team in March 2018.[30] On the 24th that month, he made his debut as an 83rd-minute substitute in a friendly with Israel, which his team won 2–1.[31] His first official game for the country came on 17 November, in a 3–0 UEFA Nations League defeat of Lithuania.[32]

The following year he represented the under-21 side at the 2019 UEFA European Championship, where they managed to progress past a group with Croatia, England and France, before being eliminated by defending champions Germany in the semi-finals.[33] He earned four caps during the final tournament, all as a starter.

After the conclusion of the Under-21 Championship, Cicâldău continued to be selected for the senior team. On 31 March 2021, on his twelfth cap, he scored his first goals in a 2–3 away loss to Armenia counting for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.[34] In 2023, Cicâldău appeared in seven games of the Euro 2024 qualifiers, including a start in the final 1–0 victory over Switzerland which secured Romania the first place in Group I.[35]

Style of play

Cicâldău is capable of aiding his teammates in both defense and attack, being described as a box-to-box midfielder by former Romanian international Gheorghe Craioveanu.[36] He has been praised for his technique and work ethic.[37][38]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 27 April 2024[39]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup Continental[a] Other[b] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Viitorul Constanța 2015–16 Liga I 2 0 — — — 2 0
2016–17 Liga I 6 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 9 0
2017–18 Liga I 34 1 0 0 3[c] 0 1 0 38 1
Total 42 1 3 0 3 0 1 0 49 1
Universitatea Craiova 2018–19 Liga I 35 4 5 1 2 0 1 0 43 5
2019–20 Liga I 32 14 3 1 5 1 0 0 40 16
2020–21 Liga I 38 11 4 1 1 0 — 43 12
2021–22 Liga I 1 0 — 1[d] 0 1 0 3 0
Total 106 29 12 3 9 1 2 0 129 33
Galatasaray 2021–22 Süper Lig 32 4 1 0 7 1 — 40 5
2022–23 Süper Lig 1 0 — — — 1 0
Total 33 4 1 0 7 1 0 0 41 5
Ittihad Kalba (loan) 2022–23 UAE Pro League 26 4 2 1 — 2[e] 0 31 5
Konyaspor (loan) 2023–24 Süper Lig 31 1 1 0 — — 32 1
Career total 238 39 19 4 19 2 5 0 282 45
  1. ^ All appearances in UEFA Europa League, unless otherwise noted
  2. ^ All appearances in Supercupa României
  3. ^ Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, one appearance in UEFA Europa League
  4. ^ Appearance in UEFA Europa Conference League
  5. ^ Appearance in UAE League Cup

International

As of match played 7 June 2024[40]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Romania 2018 3 0
2019 3 0
2020 4 0
2021 10 2
2022 8 2
2023 7 0
2024 2 0
Total 37 4
Scores and results list Romania's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Cicâldău goal.[40]
List of international goals scored by Alexandru Cicâldău
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 31 March 2021 Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, Yerevan, Armenia 12  Armenia 1–1 2–3 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
2 2–1
3 29 March 2022 Netanya Stadium, Netanya, Israel 22  Israel 1–0 2–2 Friendly
4 20 November 2022 Zimbru Stadium, Chișinău, Moldova 28  Moldova 3–0 5–0 Friendly

Honours

Viitorul Constanța[39]

Universitatea Craiova[39]

Galatasaray

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Fotbalistul Alexandru Cicâldău, special de mic. Povestește Izmir Abdulgani "Când joacă băieții de la Medgidia, să-l vedem pe "blondul"?" (galerie foto)" [Footballer Alexandru Cicâldău, gifted since he was a child. Izmir Abdulgani rememorates "When do the boys from Medgidia play, we want to see the blonde one?" (Photo gallery)] (in Romanian). Ziua de Constanța. 2 May 2020.
  2. ^ "Alexandru Cicâldău". UAE Pro League. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Cicâldău a părăsit cantonamentul Viitorului și vine la București să semneze cu noua echipă!" [Alexandru Cicâldău left Viitorul and is travelling to Bucharest to sign for a new team]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 5 July 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  4. ^ "ASA Tg. Mureș - Viitorul 1-1" (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 31 March 2016. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  5. ^ "INTERVIU VIDEO | "Da! La început eram doar un puşti promiţător". Ca la 20 de ani, fără griji dar adulat de fani. Cicâldău vorbeşte despre Hagi, interesul lui Becali şi naţionala de tineret" [VIDEO INTERVIEW | "Yes! At first I was just a promising youth." Like a 20-year-old, without worries but beloved by fans. Cicâldău talks about Hagi, Becali's interest and the youth national team] (in Romanian). ProSport. 10 November 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  6. ^ "Alexandru Cicâldău, jucătorul Științei pentru 4 ani!" [Alexandru Cicâldău, the player of Știința for the next 4 years!] (in Romanian). CS Universitatea Craiova. 6 July 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  7. ^ "Transfer URIAS in Liga 1! Unul dintre cei mai doriti jucatori a ales-o pe Craiova dupa ce a refuzat FCSB si CFR Cluj! Anuntul diminetii" [HUGE transfer in Liga 1! One of the most desired players chose Craiova after rejecting FCSB and CFR Cluj!] (in Romanian). Sport.ro. 5 July 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  8. ^ "Câţi bani primeşte Hagi pentru transferul lui Cicâldău. Suma care l-a convins pe "Rege" să-şi vândă unul dintre cei mai buni fotbalişti la Craiova" [How much money Hagi receives for the transfer of Cicâldău. The sum that convinced "the King" to sell one of his best footballers to Craiova] (in Romanian). ProSport. 6 July 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  9. ^ "CFR Cluj a câștigat Supercupa României 2018" [CFR Cluj won the 2018 Romanian Supercup] (in Romanian). Romanian Football Federation. 14 July 2018. Archived from the original on 15 July 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  10. ^ "ASTRA GIURGIU - CS U CRAIOVA 0-3 // FOTO+VIDEO Craiova a făcut spectacol la Giurgiu și a urcat pe locul 2 » Mitriță și Koljic au fost de neoprit!" [ASTRA GIURGIU - CS U CRAIOVA 0-3 // PHOTO+VIDEO Craiova impressed at Giurgiu and went up to place 2 » Mitriță și Koljić were unstoppable!]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 26 October 2018. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  11. ^ "FCSB - Craiova 3-2. Rezerva Gnohere a adus victoria roș-albaștrilor, după un meci nebun, cu greșeli mari de arbitraj" [FCSB - Craiova 3–2. Substitute Gnohéré brought the victory of "the Red-Blues", after a crazy match, with many referee mistakes]. DigiSport (in Romanian). 31 March 2019. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  12. ^ "Universitatea Craiova 3–2 Sabail". UEFA.com. 18 July 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
  13. ^ "Universitatea Craiova are ofertă de 5 milioane de euro pe masă, pentru Alexandru Cicâldău. Unde poate ajunge" [Universitatea Craiova has a 5 million euros offer on the table for Alexandru Cicâldău. Where he could turn up to] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 18 July 2019.
  14. ^ "Cicaldău și-a prelungit contractul cu Universitatea Craiova până în 2025" [Cicâldău extended his contract with Universitatea Craiova until 2025]. Libertatea (in Romanian). 15 September 2019.
  15. ^ "Alexandru Cicâldău, după prima "dublă" din carieră: "Exersez mult la antrenamente"" [Alexandru Cicâldău, after the first "double" of his career: "I practice it a lot in trainings"] (in Romanian). Fanatik.ro. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  16. ^ "A dat golul victoriei în Gruia, dar şi-a certat colegii: "Nu e permis aşa ceva! Se putea termina totul!"" [He scored the winning goal in Gruia, but criticised his teammates: "Something like that is not allowed! It could all have been over!"] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 28 June 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  17. ^ "Alexandru Cicâldău rămâne rezervat după victoria cu FCSB, care îi aduce pe olteni cu un pas mai aproape de titlu" [Alexandru Cicâldău stays humble after the victory with FCSB, which brings the Oltenia people one step closer to the title] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 12 July 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  18. ^ "Universitatea Craiova – CFR Cluj 1-3. Veni, Vidi, Vinicius. Ardelenii revin spectaculos, câștigă al treilea titlu consecutiv și se pregătesc de preliminariile Champions League" [Universitatea Craiova – CFR Cluj 1-3. Veni, Vidi, Vinícius. Ardelenii turn the game around in a spectacular manner, win their third consecutive title and prepare for the Champions League qualifiers] (in Romanian). ProSport. 3 August 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  19. ^ "Universitatea Craiova a învins Astra și a câștigat Cupa României!" [Universitatea Craiova defeated Astra and won the Romanian Cup!] (in Romanian). Romanian Football Federation. 23 May 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  20. ^ "CFR Cluj - Universitatea Craiova 0-0, 2-4 d.l.d. Oltenii câștigă Supercupa României! Pigliacelli, erou" [CFR Cluj - Universitatea Craiova 0–0, 2–4 after penalties "The Oltenia people" win the Romanian Super Cup! Pigliacelli, the hero] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 10 July 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  21. ^ "Alexandru Cicaldau Galatasaray'da!" [Alexandru Cicâldău is at Galatasaray!] (in Turkish). Galatasaray S.K. 24 July 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  22. ^ "8,5 milioane de euro pentru un fotbalist din Liga 1" [8.5 million euros for a Liga 1 footballer] (in Romanian). Telekom Sport. 26 July 2021.
  23. ^ "Giresunspor - Galatasaray » Nebunie! Cicâldău, gol la debut! Apoi a sărit să despartă doi colegi aflați la un pas de bătaie" [Giresunspor - Galatasaray » Madness! Cicâldău, goal on debut! He then intervened between two colleagues who almost fought each other]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 16 August 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  24. ^ "Galatasaray 1–0 Lazio". UEFA.com. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  25. ^ "Cicâldău a marcat, dar Galatasaray nu a putut câștiga derby-ul de pe terenul lui Beşiktaş" [Cicâldău scored, but Galatasaray could not win the derby on Beşiktaş's ground] (in Romanian). Eurosport România. 25 October 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  26. ^ "Galatasaray 4–2 Marseille". UEFA.com. 25 November 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  27. ^ "VIDEO Alexandru Cicâldău, pasă de gol în Galatasaray – Barcelona! Mijlocașul român a executat perfect cornerul din care "leii" au marcat și au declanșat nebunia la Istanbul" [VIDEO Alexandru Cicâldău, assist in Galatasaray – Barcelona! The Romanian midfielder perfectly executed the corner from which "the Lions" scored and started the madness in Istanbul] (in Romanian). Antena Sport. 17 March 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  28. ^ "Profesyonel futbolcumuz Alexandru Cicâldău'nun geçici transferi hakkında" [About the temporary transfer of our professional football player Alexandru Cicâldău] (in Turkish). Galatasaray S.K. 27 August 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  29. ^ "OFICIAL | Alexandru Cicâldău a plecat de la Galatasaray! Mijlocașul a fost prezentat la echipa din Super Lig" [OFFICIAL | Alexandru Cicâldău left Galatasaray! The midfielder was unveiled by the Süper Lig team] (in Romanian). ProSport. 1 August 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  30. ^ "27 de jucători convocați pentru "dubla" cu Israel și Suedia" [27 players called-up for the "double" with Israel and Sweden] (in Romanian). Romanian Football Federation. 16 March 2018. Archived from the original on 17 March 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
  31. ^ "Israel – România 1–2. Tricolorii au revenit spectaculos și câștigă primul amical al anului" [Israel – Romania 1–2. "The Tricolours" win the first friendly of the year] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 24 March 2018. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  32. ^ "România – Lituania 3–0. "Tricolorii" au urcat pe locul 2, după cea mai bună prestaţie din Liga Naţiunilor" [Romania – Lithuania 3–0. "The Tricolours" climbed to the second place, after their best performance in the Nations League] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 17 November 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  33. ^ "Germany 4–2 Romania". UEFA.com. 27 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  34. ^ "După "dubla" de la Erevan, Alex Cicâldău a devenit cel mai bine cotat din Liga 1. "Va juca la echipe de top 7 din primele 4 campionate ale Europei"" [After the double in Yerevan, Alex Cicâldău became the best evaluated in Liga 1. "He will play at a top-7 team in one of the best four leagues of Europe"] (in Romanian). ProSport. 31 March 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  35. ^ "VICTORIE cu Elveția și mergem la EURO 2024 de pe primul loc în grupă!" [WIN against Switzerland and we go to EURO 2024 from first place in the group!] (in Romanian). Romanian Football Federation. 21 November 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  36. ^ ""Va fi vândut pe 8-10 milioane de euro". Craioveanu anunţă care va fi transferul bombă, în Liga 1" ["He will be sold for 8-10 million euros". Craioveanu announces the next big transfer of Liga 1] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 8 September 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  37. ^ "Sânmărtean, lăsat mască de Cicâldău! "E senzaţional, super jucător"" [Sânmărtean, fascinated by Cicâldău! "He's sensational, extraordinary player"] (in Romanian). ProSport. 22 October 2017. Retrieved 6 July 2018. He has a great capacity for effort, I think it was the best match he did.
  38. ^ "Alexandru Cicâldau, dorit de o echipă din Serie A! Anunţul de ULTIMĂ ORĂ al italienilor" [Alexandru Cicâldau, wanted by a Serie A team! The latest announcement of Italian press] (in Romanian). Fanatik.ro. 24 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019. Alexandru Cicâldău, the offensive midfielder of Romania's U21 national team, is a technically gifted player who also manages to cover a big portion of the field, having a good effort capacity.
  39. ^ a b c Alexandru Cicâldău at Soccerway. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  40. ^ a b "Alexandru Cicâldău". European Football. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  41. ^ "VIDEO GALA GSP 2021 » Gazeta a decernat Superlativele anului 2021 și a premiat 5 Legende: iată cine sunt laureații!" [VIDEO 2021 GSP GALA » Gazeta announced the Superlatives of the year 2021 and awarded 5 Legends: here are the winners!]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 21 December 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  42. ^ "Alexandru Cicâldău a fost ales "Jucătorul lunii noiembrie", iar Andrei Prepeliță - "Antrenorul lunii"! Cum s-a votat" [Alexandru Cicâldău was chosen "Player of the month in November", and Andrei Prepeliță - "Coach of the month"! How the voting took place]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 6 December 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  43. ^ "Echipa sezonului 2018/2019" [Team of the season 2018/2019] (in Romanian). LPF.ro. 24 June 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  44. ^ "LPF a anunțat echipa sezonului în Liga 1 » CFR Cluj dă cei mai mulți jucători, FCSB doar unul" [LPF has announced the "ideal team" of the Liga 1 season! CFR Cluj offers the most players, FCSB only one.] (in Romanian). GSP. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  45. ^ "LPF a ales "echipa ideală" a sezonului din Liga 1! Care echipă a oferit cei mai mulți jucători" [LPF has chosen the "ideal team" of the Liga 1 season! Which team offers the most players] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 4 June 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  46. ^ "Liga 1 Betano: Echipa sezonului regulat" [Liga I Betano: Team of the regular season] (in Romanian). LPF.ro. 6 March 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  47. ^ "Liga 1 Betano: echipa ideală a play-off-ului" [Liga 1 Betano: team of the championship play-offs] (in Romanian). LPF.ro. 27 May 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
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