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Alexandru Epureanu

{{short description|Moldovan footballer}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Alexandru Epureanu

| fullname =

| image = Alexandru Epureanu2014.jpg

| image_size = 200px

| caption = Epureanu with Anzhi Makhachkala in 2014

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1986|9|27}}

| birth_place = Chișinău, Moldavian SSR, Soviet Union

| height = 1.89 m{{cite web|url=https://ibfk.com.tr/a-takim/alexandru-epureanu |title=Alexandru Epureanu |publisher=İstanbul Başakşehir F.K. |access-date=17 September 2022}}

| position = Centre-back

| currentclub =

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 = 1995–1998

| youthclubs1 = Hoverla Uzhhorod

| youthyears2 = 1998–2002

| youthclubs2 = Zimbru Chișinău

| years1 = 2002–2004

| clubs1 = Zimbru Chișinău

| caps1 = 29

| goals1 = 2

| years2 = 2004–2006

| clubs2 = Sheriff Tiraspol

| caps2 = 66

| goals2 = 3

| years3 = 2007–2009

| clubs3 = Moscow

| caps3 = 72

| goals3 = 3

| years4 = 2010–2014

| clubs4 = Dynamo Moscow

| caps4 = 44

| goals4 = 3

| years5 = 2012

| clubs5 = → Krylia Sovetov (loan)

| caps5 = 17

| goals5 = 1

| years6 = 2013

| clubs6 = → Anzhi Makhachkala (loan)

| caps6 = 7

| goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2014

| clubs7 = Anzhi Makhachkala

| caps7 = 10

| goals7 = 2

| years8 = 2014–2023

| clubs8 = İstanbul Başakşehir

| caps8 = 214

| goals8 = 14

| years9 = 2023

| clubs9 = Ümraniyespor

| caps9 = 13

| goals9 = 0

| totalcaps = 469

| totalgoals = 28

| nationalyears1 = 2002–2005

| nationalteam1 = Moldova U19

| nationalcaps1 =

| nationalgoals1 =

| nationalyears2 = 2005–2007

| nationalteam2 = Moldova U21

| nationalcaps2 = 18

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| nationalyears3 = 2006–2022

| nationalteam3 = Moldova

| nationalcaps3 = 100

| nationalgoals3 = 7

| pcupdate = 7 June 2023

| ntupdate = 25 March 2024

}}

Alexandru Epureanu (born 27 September 1986) is a Moldovan former professional footballer who played as a centre-back for the Moldova national team.

Club career

Born in Chișinau, Epureanu joined FC Sheriff Tiraspol in summer 2004.{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/footballeurope/news/kind=2/newsid=240544.html|title=Member associations|work=UEFA}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

He has won Moldovan Footballer of the Year in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2018. Since playing for FC Sheriff Tiraspol, he has gone on to play for Dinamo Moscow.

On 2 July 2014, Epureanu signed for İstanbul Başakşehir.{{cite web|title=Alexandru Epureanu va evolua din noul sezon la İstanbul BB|url=http://diez.md/2014/07/02/alexandru-epureanu-va-evolua-din-noul-sezon-la-istanbul-bb/|website=diez.md|date=2 July 2014 |access-date=3 July 2014|language=ro}} He made his league debut for the club on 30 August 2014 in a 1–1 home draw with Kasımpaşa, playing all ninety minutes of the match.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/08/30/turkey/super-lig/istanbul-buyuksehir-bsk/kasimpasa-sk/1778423/|title=Istanbul Basaksehir vs. Kasimpasa – 30 August 2014 – Soccerway|website=int.soccerway.com|access-date=26 January 2019}} He scored his first league goal for the club on 5 October 2014 in a 4–0 home victory over Akhisarspor. His goal, scored in the sixth minute, made the score 1–0 to İstanbul BB.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/10/05/turkey/super-lig/istanbul-buyuksehir-bsk/akhisar-belediye-gs/1778495/|title=Istanbul Basaksehir vs. Akhisarspor – 5 October 2014 – Soccerway|website=int.soccerway.com|access-date=26 January 2019}}

In January 2023, Epureanu departed Başakşehir {{cite web|url=https://ibfk.com.tr/haberler/tesekkurler-alexandru-epureanu|title=TEŞEKKÜRLER ALEXANDRU EPUREANU|trans-title=THANKS ALEXANDRU EPUREANU|website=ibfk.com.tr|language=Turkish|date=19 January 2023|accessdate=19 January 2023}} and subsequently joined Ümraniyespor until the end of the season. {{cite tweet|number=1616073262072750082|title=Hoş Geldin Epureanu! Kulübümüz, Başakşehir takımından 36 yaşındaki defans oyuncusu Alexandru Epureanu'yu sezon sonuna kadar renklerine bağladı. Epureanu'ya hoş geldin diyor, nice başarılar diliyoruz.|trans-title=Welcome Epureanu! Our club has tied the 36-year-old defender Alexandru Epureanu from Başakşehir team to his colors until the end of the season. We welcome Epureanu and wish you good luck. #Ümraniyespor #SemtinTakımı|language=Turkish|user=Umraniyespor|author-link=Ümraniyespor|date=19 January 2023|accessdate=19 January 2023}} On 25 March 2024, he confirmed that he retired from football.{{cite web |title=Alexandru Epureanu și-a agățat ghetele în cui |url=https://fmf.md/noutate/9496/alexandru-epureanu-sia-agatat-ghetele-in-cui |website=fmf.md |access-date=26 March 2024 |lang=ro}}

International career

Epureanu made his international debut in a 2–0 UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying loss against Norway on 6 September 2006, and has since been a regular in the national team, wearing the captain's armband on several occasions.{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=5500|title=Alexandru Epureanu|website=eu-football.info|access-date=28 March 2021}} In September 2019, Epureanu retired from the national team due to a knee injury.{{cite news|url=https://agora.md/stiri/62174/capitanul-alexandru-epureanu-se-retrage-de-la-echipa-nationala-a-r--moldova--invocand-probleme-la-genunchi|title=Căpitanul Alexandru Epureanu se retrage de la echipa națională a R. Moldova, invocând probleme la genunchi|publisher=Agora|date=30 September 2019|access-date=31 March 2021|language=ro}} However, he returned in August 2020.{{cite news|url=https://fmf.md/noutate/1736/alexandru-epureanu-revine-la-nationala|title=Alexandru Epureanu revine la Națională!|publisher=Moldovan Football Federation|first=Sandu|last=Grecu|date=29 August 2020|access-date=31 March 2021|language=ro}} He ranks first in terms of all-time appearances for Moldova.{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_players.php?id=138&data=9|title=Most Moldova caps|website=eu-football.info|access-date=28 March 2021}} On 31 March 2021, he made his 100th and last appearance for Moldova in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Israel.{{cite news|url=https://moldfootball.com/ro/news/match-s-izrailem-mozhet-stat-100-m-dlja-aleksandra-epurjanu-v-futbolke-sbornojj|title=Contra Israelului Alexandru Epureanu a bifat meciul cu numărul 100 pentru naționala Moldovei|publisher=Moldfootball|date=31 March 2021|access-date=1 April 2021|language=ro}}

Career statistics

=Club=

{{updated|22 June 2023}}{{Soccerway|alexandru-epureanu/8811|accessdate=17 August 2018}}{{NFT|15775}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
rowspan=2|Club

!rowspan=2|Season

!colspan=3|League

!colspan=2|Cup

!colspan=2|Europe

!colspan=2|Other

!colspan=2|Total

DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
rowspan="3"|Zimbru Chișinău

|2002–03

|rowspan="2"|Moldovan National Division

|5

000colspan="2"|—50
2003–04

|24

230colspan="2"|—272
colspan="2"|Total

!29

230colspan="2"|—322
rowspan="4"|Sheriff Tiraspol

|2004–05

|rowspan="3"|Moldovan National Division

|22

000colspan="2"|—220
2005–06

|27

242colspan="2"|—314
2006–07

|17

140colspan="2"|—211
colspan=2|Total

!66

382colspan="2"|—745
rowspan="4"|FC Moscow

|2007

|rowspan="3"|Russian Premier League

|23

0colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—230
2008

|24

12130colspan="2"|—292
2009

|25

210colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—262
colspan="2"|Total

!72

33130colspan="2"|—784
rowspan="4"|Dynamo Moscow

|2010

|rowspan="3"|Russian Premier League

|23

220colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—252
2011–12

|14

130colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—171
2012–13

|7

000colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—70
colspan="2"|Total

!44

350colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—493
Krylia Sovetov (loan)

|2012–13

|rowspan="3"|Russian Premier League

|17

121colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—192
Anzhi Makhachkala (loan)

|2013–14

|7

01041colspan="2"|—121
Anzhi Makhachkala

|2013–14

|10

20040colspan="2"|—142
rowspan="10"|İstanbul Başakşehir

|2014–15

|rowspan="9"|Süper Lig

|32

410colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—334
2015–16

|14

09000colspan="2"|—230
2016–17

|30

16040colspan="2"|—401
2017–18

|31

610100colspan="2"|—426
2018–19

|22

21120colspan="2"|—253
2019–20

|29

00050colspan="2"|—340
2020–21

|30

020501{{efn|name=playoff|Appearance in Turkish Super Cup.}}0380
2021-22

|22

1100000231
2022-23

|4

000000040
colspan="2"|Total

!211

142112601026215
colspan=3 | Career total

!456

283234831054034

{{notelist}}

=International=

{{updated|match played 31 March 2021}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year

National teamYearAppsGoals
rowspan=16|Moldova

|2006

30
200791
2008100
200981
201071
201180
201261
201370
201483
201530
201670
201770
201880
201900
202060
202130
colspan=2|Total||100||7

:Scores and results list Moldova's goal tally first.

class="wikitable"

|+ List of international goals scored by Alexandru Epureanu

! No. !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition

align="center"| 124 March 2007Zimbru Stadium, Chișinău{{fb|Malta}}align=center| 1–1align=center| 1–1Euro 2008 qualifier
align="center"| 212 August 2009Republican Stadium, Yerevan{{fb|Armenia}}align=center| 4–1align=center| 4–1Friendly
align="center"| 33 March 2010Antalya Atatürk Stadium, Antalya{{fb|Kazakhstan}}align=center| 1–0align=center| 1–0Friendly
align="center"| 416 October 2012Stadio Olimpico, Serravalle{{fb|San Marino}}align=center| 2–0align=center| 2–02014 World Cup qualifier
align="center"| 5rowspan="2" | 5 March 2014rowspan="2" | Estadi Comunal d'Andorra la Vella, Andorra la Vellarowspan="2" | {{fb|Andorra}}align=center| 1–0rowspan="2" align=center | 3–0rowspan="2" | Friendly
align="center"| 6align=center| 3–0
align="center"| 712 October 2014Otkrytie Arena, Moscow{{fb|Russia}}align=center| 1–1align=center| 1–1Euro 2016 qualifier

Note: Some sources have credited Epureanu with scoring the second goal in a 4–0 victory over Saudi Arabia in 2014, however this was a penalty converted by Igor Picușceac.{{cite web |title=Saudi Arabia vs Moldova - Football Match Report - May 24th, 2014 |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/report/_/gameId/392313 |website=ESPN}}

Honours

=Club=

Zimbru Chișinău

Sheriff Tiraspol

Dynamo Moscow

İstanbul Başakşehir

  • Süper Lig: 2019–20{{cite web|url=https://www.dailysabah.com/sports/football/istanbuls-medipol-basaksehir-wins-first-ever-turkish-super-lig-title|title=Istanbul's Medipol Başakşehir wins first ever Turkish Süper Lig title|website=Daily Sabah|date=19 July 2020|access-date=19 July 2020}}

=Individual=

  • Moldovan Footballer of the Year: 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2018
  • Süper Lig Defender of the Season: 2018–19{{Cite web |last=Aslan |first=Erkan |date=2019-05-03 |title=2018-2019 Sezonunun Enleri "Futbolun Süperleri" Töreniyle Ödüllerine Kavuştu |url=https://listelist.com/futbolun-superleri/ |access-date=2023-01-04 |website=ListeList |language=tr}}
  • Süper Lig Team of the Season: 2018–19{{Cite web |last=Aslan |first=Erkan |date=2019-05-03 |title=2018-2019 Sezonunun Enleri "Futbolun Süperleri" Töreniyle Ödüllerine Kavuştu |url=https://listelist.com/futbolun-superleri/ |access-date=2023-01-04 |website=ListeList |language=tr}}

See also

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • {{Soccerway|alexandru-epureanu/8811}}
  • {{EU-Football.info|5500}}
  • {{NFT|15775}}

{{Moldovan Footballer of the Year}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Epureanu, Alexandru}}

Category:1986 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Chișinău

Category:Moldovan men's footballers

Category:Moldovan expatriate men's footballers

Category:Moldova men's international footballers

Category:Men's association football defenders

Category:Moldovan Super Liga players

Category:Russian Premier League players

Category:Süper Lig players

Category:FC Zimbru Chișinău players

Category:FC Sheriff Tiraspol players

Category:FC Moscow players

Category:FC Dynamo Moscow players

Category:PFC Krylia Sovetov Samara players

Category:FC Anzhi Makhachkala players

Category:İstanbul Başakşehir F.K. players

Category:Ümraniyespor footballers

Category:Moldovan expatriate sportspeople in Russia

Category:Moldovan expatriate sportspeople in Turkey

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Russia

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Turkey

Category:FIFA Men's Century Club