Gabriel Iancu
{{short description|Romanian professional footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Gabriel Iancu
| image = Gabriel Iancu 2021 (cropped).jpg
| image_size = 200px
| caption = Iancu with Akhmat Grozny in 2021
| full_name = Gabriel Cristian Iancu
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1994|04|15|df=y}}
| birth_place = Bucharest, Romania
| height = 1.86 m{{RPL player|Yanku-Gabriel-Kristian}}
| position = Forward, attacking midfielder
| currentclub = Farul Constanța
| clubnumber = 10
| youthyears1 = 2001–2006
| youthclubs1 = Steaua București
| youthyears2 = 2006–2009
| youthclubs2 = CSȘ Pajura
| youthyears3 = 2009–2011
| youthclubs3 = Gheorghe Hagi Academy
| years1 = 2011–2012
| clubs1 = Viitorul Constanța
| caps1 = 30
| goals1 = 11
| years2 = 2013–2016
| clubs2 = Steaua București
| caps2 = 54
| goals2 = 8
| years3 = 2015–2016
| clubs3 = → Karabükspor (loan)
| caps3 = 4
| goals3 = 1
| years4 = 2016–2017
| clubs4 = Viitorul Constanța
| caps4 = 24
| goals4 = 5
| years5 = 2017–2018
| clubs5 = Termalica Nieciecza
| caps5 = 14
| goals5 = 2
| years6 = 2018–2019
| clubs6 = Voluntari
| caps6 = 1
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2019
| clubs7 = Dunărea Călărași
| caps7 = 12
| goals7 = 2
| years8 = 2019–2021
| clubs8 = Viitorul Constanța
| caps8 = 37
| goals8 = 22
| years9 = 2021–2023
| clubs9 = Akhmat Grozny
| caps9 = 12
| goals9 = 1
| years10 = 2022
| clubs10 = → Farul Constanța (loan)
| caps10 = 11
| goals10 = 1
| years11 = 2022–2023
| clubs11 = → FC U Craiova (loan)
| caps11 = 15
| goals11 = 2
| years12 = 2023
| clubs12 = → Hermannstadt (loan)
| caps12 = 9
| goals12 = 1
| years13 = 2023–2024
| clubs13 = Hermannstadt
| caps13 = 34
| goals13 = 5
| years14 = 2024–
| clubs14 = Farul Constanța
| caps14 = 18
| goals14 = 2
| nationalyears1 = 2010–2011
| nationalteam1 = Romania U17
| nationalcaps1 = 3
| nationalgoals1 = 2
| nationalyears2 = 2012
| nationalteam2 = Romania U19
| nationalcaps2 = 3
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2012–2014
| nationalteam3 = Romania U21
| nationalcaps3 = 8
| nationalgoals3 = 2
| nationalyears4 = 2020
| nationalteam4 = Romania
| nationalcaps4 = 4
| nationalgoals4 = 0
| club-update = 10 February 2025
| nationalteam-update = 14 October 2020
}}
Gabriel Cristian Iancu ({{IPA|ro|gabriˈel kristiˈan ˈjaŋku}}; born 15 April 1994) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as a forward or an attacking midfielder for Liga I club Farul Constanța.
Iancu began his senior career at Viitorul Constanța in 2011, and at age 18 returned to Steaua București where he was previously a junior. He won six trophies with the latter, but has since had multiple brief spells since leaving the capital in 2015. On his second stint at Viitorul, Iancu aided to a league title in the 2016–17 season, and on his third netted 18 times to become the top scorer of the 2019–20 Liga I. He has competed professionally in three countries apart from his own, namely Turkey, Poland and Russia.
Internationally, Iancu represented the Romania national team at several youth levels including the under-21 side, before going on to record his debut for the seniors in 2020.
Club career
=Viitorul Constanța=
Iancu made his senior debut for Viitorul Constanța on 1 September 2011, in a 2–0 Liga II home win over Callatis Mangalia. In March 2012, he and his Viitorul teammate Bogdan Țîru were on trial at Ajax,{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraaf.nl/telesport/voetbal/ajax/20030112/__Roemeense_talenten_op_stage_bij_Ajax__.html|title=Roemeense talenten op stage bij Ajax|trans-title=Romanian talents on a tryout at Ajax|publisher=De Telegraaf|language=nl|date=23 March 2012|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826120241/http://www.telegraaf.nl/telesport/voetbal/ajax/20030112/__Roemeense_talenten_op_stage_bij_Ajax__.html|archivedate=26 August 2014}} and he was also linked with a move to Galatasaray.{{cite web|url=http://skorer.milliyet.com.tr/hagi-den-g-saray-a-hediye-futbolcu/galatasaray/detay/1596154/default.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130418184130/http://skorer.milliyet.com.tr/hagi-den-g-saray-a-hediye-futbolcu/galatasaray/detay/1596154/default.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 April 2013|title=Hagi'den G.Saray'a hediye futbolcu|trans-title=Gift football player from Hagi to Galatasaray|publisher=Milliyet|language=tr|date=14 September 2012}}
Iancu's first goal also came in a match against Callatis Mangalia, scoring the last of his team in a 5–1 away thrashing on 21 April 2012. By the end of the season which ended in promotion to the Liga I, he totalled five goals in twelve appearances.
=Steaua București=
Iancu continued his goalscoring run by netting six times from 18 games in the first half of the 2012–13 Liga I, which inspired a move to his former boyhood club FC Steaua București in the winter transfer window. The eventual champions acquired 70% of his economic rights for a rumoured €500,000 fee,{{cite web|url=http://www.digi24.ro/stire/Gabriel-Iancu-a-fost-prezentat-oficial-la-Steaua_67261|title=Gabriel Iancu a fost prezentat oficial la Steaua|trans-title=Gabriel Iancu was officially prestented at Steaua|publisher=Digi24|language=ro|date=23 December 2012|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826205324/http://www.digi24.ro/Stiri/Regional/Digi24+Constanta/Stiri/Gabriel+Iancu+a+fost+prezentat+oficial+la+Steaua|archivedate=26 August 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://sptfm.ro/2012/12/14/noua-achizitie-a-stelei-ii-umple-de-bani-pe-constanteni-gabriel-iancu-ar-putea-aduce-15-milioane-euro-in-contul-viitorului/|title=Noua achizitie a Stelei ii umple de bani pe constanteni! Gabriel Iancu ar putea aduce 1,5 milioane euro in contul Viitorului|trans-title=Steaua's newest purchase brings a lot of money to the Constanța people! Gabriel Iancu could bring 1.5 million euros to Viitorul's bank account|publisher=Sport Total FM|language=ro|date=14 December 2012|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826161452/http://sptfm.ro/2012/12/14/noua-achizitie-a-stelei-ii-umple-de-bani-pe-constanteni-gabriel-iancu-ar-putea-aduce-15-milioane-euro-in-contul-viitorului/|archivedate=26 August 2014}} and his five-year contract included a €25 million buyout clause.{{cite web|url=http://www.b1.ro/stiri/sport/steaua-i-a-stabilit-o-clauza-de-reziliere-uria-a-lui-gabriel-iancu-44867.html|title=Steaua i-a stabilit o clauză de reziliere uriașă lui Gabriel Iancu|trans-title=Steaua set up a huge buyout clause for Iancu|publisher=B1 TV|language=ro|date=11 December 2012|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121213045613/http://www.b1.ro/stiri/sport/steaua-i-a-stabilit-o-clauza-de-reziliere-uria-a-lui-gabriel-iancu-44867.html|archivedate=13 December 2012}}
On 30 July 2013, Iancu scored the goals of a 2–0 away victory over Georgian side Dinamo Tbilisi, facilitating Steaua's progression to the UEFA Champions League play-off round.{{cite web|url=http://www.gsp.ro/international/liga-campionilor/video-tatarusanu-si-iancu-eroii-de-la-tbilisi-steaua-e-la-un-pas-de-play-off-dupa-2-0-cu-dinamo-404712.html|title=Tătăruşanu şi Iancu, eroii de la Tbilisi » Steaua e la un pas de play-off, după 2-0 cu Dinamo|trans-title=Tătărușanu and Iancu, the heroes of Tbilisi » Steaua is one step away from the play-off, after 2–0 against Dinamo|newspaper=Gazeta Sporturilor|language=ro|date=30 July 2013}} He played two matches in the group stage of the latter competition, as Steaua finished last behind Chelsea, Schalke 04 and Basel, respectively.
==Loan to Karabükspor==
Iancu did not impose himself at the Bucharest-based club and in the 2015–16 campaign was sent out on loan to Karabükspor in Turkey,{{cite web|url=https://www.digisport.ro/fotbal/liga-1/oficial-gabi-iancu-a-semnat-cu-karabukspor-185678|title=OFICIAL Gabi Iancu a semnat cu Karabukspor|trans-title=OFFICIAL Gabi Iancu signed with Karabükspor|publisher=Digi Sport|language=ro|date=31 August 2015|accessdate=18 December 2021}} where he only scored once in four games.
=Return to Viitorul Constanța=
In the summer of 2016, Iancu rejoined Viitorul Constanța as a free agent. On 13 May 2017, he converted a penalty in a 1–0 defeat of CFR Cluj, which earned Viitorul its first national title.{{cite web|url=http://www.digisport.ro/Sport/FOTBAL/Competitii/Liga+1/live-text/video-Viitorul-CFR-ora-20-00-in-direct-la-Digi-Sport|title=Viitorul - CFR 1–0|publisher=Digi Sport|language=ro|date=13 May 2017|accessdate=16 December 2021}}
=Termalica Nieciecza=
In September 2017, Iancu joined Polish club Termalica Nieciecza on a two-year deal.{{cite web |url=http://www.termalica.brukbet.com/nowa/aktualnosc/7024-gabriel-iancu-zawodnikiem-bruk-betu-termaliki|title=Gabriel Iancu zawodnikiem Bruk-Betu Termaliki|trans-title=Gabriel Iancu is a player of Bruk-Bet Termalica|publisher=Bruk-Bet Termalica Nieciecza|language=pl|date=1 September 2017|accessdate=2 September 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902181148/http://www.termalica.brukbet.com/nowa/aktualnosc/7024-gabriel-iancu-zawodnikiem-bruk-betu-termaliki|archivedate=2 September 2017}} Two weeks later, he made his Ekstraklasa debut by coming on as a substitute and scoring the winner in a 2–1 victory against Lechia Gdańsk.{{cite web |url=http://sport.interia.pl/klub-termalica/news-bruk-bet-termalica-nieciecza-lechia-gdansk-2-1-w-10-kolejce-,nId,2443109|title= Ekstraklasa: Bruk-Bet Termalica 2–1 Lechia Gdańsk|publisher=Interia Sport|language=pl|date=23 September 2017 |accessdate=24 September 2017}}
=Return to Romania=
Iancu returned to Romania for the 2018–19 season, playing in quick succession for Voluntari and Dunărea Călărași before being once again re-signed by Viitorul Constanța in June 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.fanatik.ro/gabi-iancu-la-viitorul-atacantul-a-acceptat-un-salariu-mic-pentru-a-reveni-sub-comanda-lui-gica-hagi-in-2017-a-plecat-cu-scandal-18973017|title=Gabi Iancu la Viitorul. Atacantul a acceptat un salariu mic pentru a reveni sub comanda lui Gică Hagi. În 2017 a plecat cu scandal|trans-title=Gabi Iancu to Viitorul. The striker accepted a modest salary to return under the management of Gică Hagi. In 2017 he left with a scandal|publisher=Fanatik.ro|language=ro|date=11 June 2019|accessdate=18 December 2021}} He managed to become top scorer of the 2019–20 Liga I by netting 18 goals from 28 appearances.{{cite web|url=https://www.digisport.ro/fotbal/liga-1/secretul-lui-gabi-iancu-cum-a-devenit-golgheterul-campionatului-891426|title=Secretul lui Gabi Iancu. Cum a devenit golgheterul campionatului|trans-title=Gabi Iancu's secret. How he became the league's top scorer|publisher=Digi Sport|language=ro|date=18 August 2020|accessdate=18 December 2021}}
=Akhmat Grozny=
Iancu earned a €500,000 transfer to Akhmat Grozny on 13 January 2021,{{cite web|url=https://www.digisport.ro/fotbal/fotbal-international/salariul-pentru-care-gabi-iancu-a-plecat-de-la-viitorul-echipa-lui-gica-hagi-ia-500-000-de-euro-987512|title=Salariul pentru care Gabi Iancu a plecat de la Viitorul. Echipa lui Gică Hagi ia 500.000 de euro|trans-title=The salary Gabi Iancu left Viitorul for. Gică Hagi's teams receives 500,000 euros|publisher=Digi Sport|language=ro|date=18 August 2020|accessdate=18 December 2021}} signing a three-and-a-half-year contract with the Russian Premier League club.{{cite web|url=http://fc-akhmat.ru/page/12037|title=Габриэль Янку перешёл в "Ахмат"|trans-title=Gabriel Iancu moved to "Akhmat"|publisher=FC Akhmat Grozny|language=ru|date=13 January 2021|access-date=13 January 2021|archive-date=13 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113180935/http://fc-akhmat.ru/page/12037|url-status=dead}}
==Various loans==
On 3 February 2022, Iancu returned for a third time to Viitorul, now renamed Farul Constanța, on loan for the remainder of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.farulconstanta.com/stiri/noutati/bine-ai-re-venit-gabriel-iancu|title=Bine ai (re)venit Gabriel Iancu !|trans-title=Welcome back (again) Gabriel Iancu!|publisher=FCV Farul Constanța|language=ro|date=3 February 2022|accessdate=3 February 2022}}
On 20 July 2022, Iancu signed for FC U Craiova after his loan at Farul expired.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/FCUniversitateaOFFICIAL/posts/pfbid02LidXyLcaqeH8biEZmRUrj2jxGc7Qm1nvVJnZeKu1Cz8fK5Ze5nAamhKt24iWFPKPl|title=Gabriel Iancu a semnat cu FC U CRAIOVA 1948!|date=20 July 2022|accessdate=20 July 2022|language=ro}} On 13 February 2023, Iancu joined Hermannstadt until the end of the 2022–23 season.{{cite web|publisher=FC Hermannstadt|url=https://www.facebook.com/hermannstadt.fc/posts/pfbid02mgexR51wQZAYP9SP5PmpKmNXfQqPB7M7a4BnyQXapfo42wDRzGPPRrEhzRv6vigQl|title=Bine ai venit la FCH, Gabi Iancu!|date=13 February 2023|access-date=13 February 2023|language=ro}}
=Hermannstadt=
On 10 June 2023, Iancu returned to Hermannstadt on a permanent basis and signed a two-year contract.{{cite web|publisher=FC Hermannstadt|url=https://www.facebook.com/hermannstadt.fc/posts/pfbid02az5dpKWCevV7PgMisysuAWjtbRuF1HGBRqdhBUafzcFXkWvzh8GA1gin9eJXbcFpl|title=Gabi Iancu a semnat un contract valabil pentru următoarele două sezoane @ FCH!|date=10 June 2023|language=ro}}
International career
On 7 September 2020, Iancu made his debut for the Romania national team by coming on for injured Ciprian Deac in the 40th minute of a 3–2 away win over Austria in the UEFA Nations League.{{cite web|url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/nationala/austria-romania-liga-natiunilor-livetext-609367.html/|title=Austria - România 2-3, VIDEO+FOTO » România la MAXIM! Suntem lideri în grupa de Liga Națiunilor|trans-title=Austria - Romania 2–3, VIDEO + PHOTO » Romania at MAXIMUM! We are leaders in the Nations League group|newspaper=Gazeta Sporturilor|language=ro|date=7 September 2020|accessdate=19 December 2021|archive-date=16 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916001900/https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/nationala/austria-romania-liga-natiunilor-livetext-609367.html|url-status=dead}}
Personal life
Iancu has been married since 2019, with the couple having one son who was born the following year.{{cite web|url=https://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/liga-1/foto-ea-l-a-salvat-mariajul-cu-ioana-si-nasterea-primului-copil-l-au-transformat-total-pe-gabi-iancu-aflat-la-cel-mai-bun-sezon-din-cariera-604401.html|title=FOTO Ea l-a salvat! Mariajul cu Ioana și nașterea primului copil l-au transformat total pe Gabi Iancu, aflat la cel mai bun sezon din carieră|trans-title=PHOTO She saved him! The marriage with Ioana and the birth of the first child completely transformed Gabi Iancu, who is at the best season of his career|newspaper=Gazeta Sporturilor|language=ro|date=13 July 2020|accessdate=19 December 2021}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{Updated|match played 10 February 2025}}{{Soccerway|gabriel-iancu/153704|accessdate=2 June 2020}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other{{efn|All appearances in Supercupa României}} !colspan="3"|Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="3" |Viitorul Constanța
|12 | 5 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|—
| colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |12 | 5 | |||||||
| 2012–13
|18 | 6 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|—
| colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |18 | 6 | |||||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!30 | 11 | 0 | 0|| colspan="2" |—||colspan="2" |—||colspan="2" |—||30 | 11 | ||||||||
| rowspan="5"|Steaua București
|Liga I |10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|—
|0 | 0 | colspan="2"|—
|10 | 2 | |||||
| 2013–14
|Liga I |19 | 2 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|—
|8{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in UEFA Champions League}} | 2 | 1 | 0 | 30 | 4 | |||
| 2014–15
|Liga I |20 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 6{{efn|Four appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 1 | 1 | 0 | 32 | 9 | |
| 2015–16
|Liga I |5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3{{efn|One appearance in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 1 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!54 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 17 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 81 | 16 | |
| rowspan="1"|Karabükspor (loan)
|4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | rowspan=1 colspan="2"|—
| colspan="2" rowspan="1" |— | colspan="2" rowspan="1" |— |7 | 2 | |||||||
| rowspan="1"|Viitorul Constanța
|Liga I |24 | 5 | 2 | 1 | |1 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 6 | |
| rowspan="1"|Termalica Nieciecza
|14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2" | —
| colspan="2" | — | colspan="2" | — |14 | 2 | |||||||
| rowspan="1"|Voluntari
|Liga I |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2" | —
| colspan="2" | — | colspan="2" | — |1 | 0 | |||||||
| rowspan="1"|Dunărea Călărași
|Liga I |12 | 2 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2" | —
| colspan="2" | — | colspan="2" | — |13 | 2 | |||||||
| rowspan="3"|Viitorul Constanța
|Liga I |28 | 18 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2" | —
|2{{efn|name=UEL}} | 2 | 1 | 0 | 31 | 20 | |||
| 2020–21
|Liga I |9 | 4 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2" | —
| colspan="2" | — | colspan="2" | — | 10 | 4 | |||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!37 | 22 | 1 | 0|| colspan="2" | —||2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 41 | 24 | ||||
| rowspan="3"|Akhmat Grozny
|6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2" | — | colspan="2" | — | colspan="2" | — | 7 | 0 | ||||
| 2021–22
|Russian Premier League |6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | colspan="2" | — | colspan="2" | — | colspan="2" | — | 7 | 2 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!12 | 1 | 2 | 1 | colspan="2" | — | colspan="2" | — | colspan="2" | — | 14 | 2 | ||||
| rowspan="1"|Farul Constanța (loan)
|Liga I |11 | 1 | colspan="2" | — | colspan="2" | — | colspan="2" | — | colspan="2" | — | 11 | 1 | |||||
| rowspan="1"|FC U Craiova (loan)
|Liga I |15 | 2 | 2 | 1 | colspan="2" | — | colspan="2" | — | colspan="2" | — | 17 | 3 | ||||
| rowspan="1"|Hermannstadt (loan)
|Liga I |9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2" | — | colspan="2" | — | colspan="2" | — | 10 | 1 | ||||
| rowspan="2"|Hermannstadt
|Liga I |34 | 5 | 4 | 1 | colspan="2" | — | colspan="2" | — | colspan="2" | — | 38 | 6 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!43 | 6 | 5 | 1 | colspan="2" | — | colspan="2" | — | colspan="2" | — | 48 | 7 | ||||
| rowspan="1"|Farul Constanța
|Liga I |18 | 2 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2" | — | colspan="2" | — | colspan="2" | — | 21 | 2 | ||||
| colspan="3" |Career total
!275||63||24||9||3||1||21||5||4||0||327||78 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|match played 14 October 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=31030|title=Gabriel Iancu|publisher=European Football|access-date=9 September 2020}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="2"|Romania | |||
| 2020 | 4 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total||4||0 |
Honours
- Liga I: 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15
- Cupa României: 2014–15; runner-up: 2013–14
- Cupa Ligii: 2014–15
- Supercupa României: 2013
Individual
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{RomanianSoccer|2375/gabriel-cristian-iancu}}
- {{90minut|25823}}
- {{UEFA player|250022758}}
{{FCV Farul Constanța squad}}
{{Liga I top scorers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Iancu, Gabriel}}
Category:Footballers from Bucharest
Category:Romanian men's footballers
Category:Romania men's international footballers
Category:Romania men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Romania men's youth international footballers
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:FC Viitorul Constanța players
Category:FC Dunărea Călărași players
Category:Kardemir Karabükspor footballers
Category:Bruk-Bet Termalica Nieciecza players
Category:Russian Premier League players
Category:FC Akhmat Grozny players
Category:FCV Farul Constanța players
Category:FC U Craiova 1948 players
Category:FC Hermannstadt players
Category:Romanian expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Turkey
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Poland
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Russia
Category:Romanian expatriate sportspeople in Turkey
Category:Romanian expatriate sportspeople in Poland