Ionuț Nedelcearu
{{short description|Romanian footballer (born 1996)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Ionuț Nedelcearu
| image = Rostov-Ufa18 (11).jpg
| upright = 0.8
| caption = Nedelcearu with Ufa in 2018
| full_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1996|4|25}}
| birth_place = Bucharest, Romania
| height = 1.90 m
| position = Centre-back
| currentclub = Akron Tolyatti
| clubnumber = 22
| youthyears1 = 2003–2013
| youthclubs1 = Dinamo București
| years1 = 2013–2014
| clubs1 = Dinamo II București
| caps1 = 24
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2013–2018
| clubs2 = Dinamo București
| caps2 = 89
| goals2 = 5
| years3 = 2018–2020
| clubs3 = Ufa
| caps3 = 65
| goals3 = 1
| years4 = 2020–2021
| clubs4 = AEK Athens
| caps4 = 25
| goals4 = 1
| years5 = 2021–2022
| clubs5 = Crotone
| caps5 = 34
| goals5 = 2
| years6 = 2022–2025
| clubs6 = Palermo
| caps6 = 65
| goals6 = 2
| years7 = 2025–
| clubs7 = Akron Tolyatti
| caps7 = 7
| goals7 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2013
| nationalteam1 = Romania U17
| nationalcaps1 = 2
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2013
| nationalteam2 = Romania U18
| nationalcaps2 = 4
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2014–2019
| nationalteam3 = Romania U21
| nationalcaps3 = 18
| nationalgoals3 = 1
| nationalyears4 = 2018–
| nationalteam4 = Romania
| nationalcaps4 = 27
| nationalgoals4 = 2
| club-update = 19 April 2025
| nationalteam-update = 4 June 2024
}}
Ionuț Nedelcearu ({{IPA|ro|i.oˈnut͡s nedelˈt͡ʃe̯a.ru}}; born 25 April 1996) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Russian Premier League club Akron Tolyatti and the Romania national team.
Club career
=Dinamo București=
Nedelcearu joined the youth system of Dinamo București at the age of seven.{{cite web|url=http://www.fcdinamo.ro/nedelcearu-trebuie-sa-mi-ajut-familia|title=NEDELCEARU: "Trebuie să-mi ajut familia!"|trans-title=NEDELCEARU: "I have to support my family!"|publisher=FC Dinamo București|language=ro|date=24 October 2014|access-date=6 December 2017|archive-date=6 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206210807/http://www.fcdinamo.ro/nedelcearu-trebuie-sa-mi-ajut-familia|url-status=dead}} After playing for the reserves, he made his first-team debut on 31 October 2013 in a Cupa României match against Chindia Târgoviște, aged 17.{{cite web|url=http://www.mediafax.ro/sport/cupa-romaniei-dinamo-s-a-calificat-in-sferturi-dupa-5-0-contra-chindiei-targoviste-11599848|title=CUPA ROMÂNIEI: Dinamo s-a calificat în sferturi, după 5-0 contra Chindiei Târgovişte|trans-title=ROMANIAN CUP: Dinamo qualified for the quarter-finals, after 5–0 against Chindia Târgoviște|publisher=Mediafax|language=ro|date=31 October 2013|access-date=6 December 2017}} On 13 December that year, he recorded his first Liga I appearance in a 4–0 home victory over ACS Poli Timișoara.{{cite web|url=http://www.tion.ro/timisoara-nu-mai-e-bau-bau-pentru-nimeni-dinamo-bucuresti-acs-poli-4-0/1364769|title=Timișoara nu mai e bau-bau pentru nimeni. Dinamo Bucuresti – ACS Poli: 4 – 0|trans-title=Nobody is scared by Timișoara anymore. Dinamo București – ACS Poli: 4–0|publisher=Timiș Online|language=ro|date=13 December 2013|access-date=6 December 2017}}
Nedelcearu netted his first goal for the Alb-roșii in a 3–2 away win against Pandurii Târgu Jiu on 28 October 2015, a game where he also scored in his own net.{{cite web|url=http://www.gsp.ro/fotbal/cupa-romaniei/foto-pandurii-dinamo-2-3-ciinii-i-au-scos-pe-gorjeni-si-din-cupa-romaniei-dupa-un-gol-in-minutul-90-462082.html|title=Pandurii – Dinamo 2-3 – 'Cîinii' i-au scos pe gorjeni și din Cupa României, după un gol în minutul 90|trans-title=Pandurii – Dinamo 2–3 – 'Câinii' eliminated 'the Gorj People', after scoring in the 90th minute|newspaper=Gazeta Sporturilor|language=ro|date=28 October 2015|access-date=6 December 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.digisport.ro/Sport/FOTBAL/Competitii/Liga+1/live-text/LIVE-VIDEO-+Dinamo+-+Steaua-20-30-IN-DIRECT-la-Digi-Sport-1|title=Dinamo – Steaua 3–1|publisher=Digi Sport|language=ro|date=30 November 2016|access-date=6 December 2017}}
=Ufa=
On 15 February 2018, Nedelcearu signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Russian Premier League side FC Ufa.{{cite web|url=http://www.fcufa.pro/allarticle/lenta/61-klub/4829-ufa-podpisala-kontrakt-s-zashchitnikom-molodezhnoj-sbornoj-rumynii|script-title=ru:'Уфа' подписала контракт с защитником молодежной сборной Румынии|trans-title=Ufa signed a contract with the defender of the youth national team of Romania|publisher=FC Ufa|language=ru|date=15 February 2018|access-date=15 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105012028/http://www.fcufa.pro/allarticle/lenta/61-klub/4829-ufa-podpisala-kontrakt-s-zashchitnikom-molodezhnoj-sbornoj-rumynii|archive-date=5 November 2018|url-status=dead}} In the summer of 2019, press reported that several teams showed interest in signing him, including Roma and Zenit Saint Petersburg.{{cite web|url=https://www.gsp.ro/international/stranieri/ionut-nedelcearu-vorbeste-in-premiera-de-un-posibil-transfer-e-dorit-de-as-roma-si-zenit-571392.html|title=Ionuț Nedelcearu, dorit de AS Roma și Zenit, vorbește în premieră de un posibil transfer: "Asta ar fi un avantaj pentru mine"|publisher=Gazeta Sporturilor|language=ro|date=6 July 2019}}
=AEK Athens=
On 5 October 2020, Nedelcearu signed a four-year contract with Super League Greece club AEK Athens.{{cite web |url=https://www.aekfc.gr/newsdetails/stin-aek-o-ionouts-nenteltsiarou-125327.htm?lang=en&path=549212506|title=Ionut Nedelcearu signed for AEK FC!|website=aekfc.gr|publisher=AEK Athens F.C.|date=5 October 2020 |access-date=5 October 2020}} On 1 November 2020, he scored his first goal, the equalizer of an eventual 2–1 home win against OFI.{{Cite web | url=http://www.sport24.gr/football/aek-ofi.9037359.html | title=ΑΕΚ - ΟΦΗ 2-1: Ανατροπή με γκολάρα Σάκχοφ | publisher=www.sport24.gr | date=1 November 2020}}
=Crotone=
On 16 July 2021, he moved to Italian club Crotone on a three-year contract, for a fee of €1.2 million.{{cite web|publisher=Crotone|url=https://www.fccrotone.it/news/colpo-nedelcearu-per-la-difesa-benvenuto-ionut/|title=Colpo Nedelcearu per la difesa. Benvenuto Ionut!|date=16 July 2021|language=it}}
=Palermo=
On 27 July 2022, following Crotone's relegation to Serie C, Nedelcearu signed for Serie B club Palermo on a three-year deal.{{cite press release|publisher=Palermo F.C.|url=https://www.palermofc.com/it/news/nedelcearu-e-rosanero-giron-al-crotone_38068/|title=NEDELCEARU È ROSANERO. GIRON AL CROTONE|accessdate=27 July 2022 |date=27 July 2022|language=Italian}} He made his debut with the rosanero in the 32nd finals of Coppa Italia against Torino.
=Akron Tolyatti=
On 7 February 2025, Nedelcearu returned to Russia and signed with Akron Tolyatti.{{cite web|publisher=FC Akron Tolyatti|url=https://fcakron.ru/blog/2025/02/07/akron-podpisal-czentralnogo-zashhitnika-palermo/|title=«Акрон» подписал центрального защитника «Палермо»|date=7 February 2025|language=ru}}
International career
On 27 March 2018, Nedelcearu made his full debut for Romania after being brought on as an 83rd-minute substitute in a 1–0 win over Sweden.{{cite web|url=http://frf.ro/masculin/echipa-nationala/romania-ramane-neinvinsa-la-craiova-a-castigat-cu-10-in-fata-suediei-id23831.html|title=România rămâne neînvinsă la Craiova: a câștigat cu 1-0 în fața Suediei|trans-title=Romania remains undefeated in Craiova: it won 1–0 against Sweden|publisher=Romanian Football Federation|language=ro|date=27 March 2018|access-date=28 March 2018|archive-date=1 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801170920/http://www.frf.ro/masculin/echipa-nationala/romania-ramane-neinvinsa-la-craiova-a-castigat-cu-10-in-fata-suediei-id23831.html|url-status=dead}}
On 7 June 2024, he was selected in Romania's squad for the UEFA Euro 2024,{{cite web|url=https://www.frf.ro/nationale/masculin/echipa-nationala/lotul-romaniei-pentru-euro-2024/|title=Lotul României pentru EURO 2024|trans-title=Romania's squad for EURO 2024|publisher=Romanian Football Federation|language=ro|date=7 June 2024|accessdate=4 July 2024}} but did not feature in any match.
Personal life
Born in Bucharest, Nedelcearu attended the National University of Physical Education and Sport before moving abroad for the first time.{{Cite web|first=Marius|last=Mărgărit|url=https://www.gsp.ro/stire/stire-505560.html|title=Mama unui dinamovist prins băut în avion ia atitudine: "Dacă ai greşit, asumă-ţi vina!|trans-title=The mother of a dynamist caught drinking on the plane takes a stand: "If you made a mistake, take the blame!|date=23 March 2017|access-date=12 December 2022|language=ro}} His father, Marin, was also a professional footballer,{{cite web|url=http://www.prosport.ro/fotbal-intern/liga-1/17-ani-500-de-lei-si-o-comparatie-prosport-va-prezinta-povestea-emotionanta-a-ultimului-tanar-propus-de-dinamo-11665626|title=17 ani, 500 de lei şi o comparaţie! ProSport vă prezintă povestea emoţionantă a ultimului tânăr propus de Dinamo|newspaper=ProSport|language=ro |trans-title= 17 years, 500 lei and a comparison! ProSport presents the exciting story of the newest youngster proposed by Dinamo|access-date= 3 June 2018}} while his mother, Geta, was a sprinter in her youth.
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|19 April 2025}}{{Soccerway|ionu-nedelcearu/270591|accessdate=7 September 2019}}
| 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 !colspan="2"|Total | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division
!Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals | |||||||||||
| rowspan="6"|Dinamo București
|rowspan="5"|Liga I |1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | |||
| 2014–15
|13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 17 | 0 | ||
| 2015–16
|21 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 28 | 1 | ||
| 2016–17
|33 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 39 | 3 | ||
| 2017–18
|21 | 2 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 25 | 2 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!89 | 5 | 11 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 111 | 6 | |
| rowspan="5"|Ufa
|rowspan="4"|Russian Premier League |10 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 10 | 0 | ||||
| 2018–19
|26 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 34 | 1 | |
| 2019–20
|20 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 21 | 0 | |||
| 2020–21
|9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 10 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!65 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 75 | 1 | |
| AEK Athens
|25 | 1 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 35 | 1 | ||
| Crotone
|34 | 2 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 36 | 2 | |||
| rowspan="4"|Palermo
|rowspan="3"|Serie B |36 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 37 | 0 | |||
| 2023–24
|20 | 2 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|name=Serie B–Promotion play-offs|Appearances in Serie B – Promotion play-offs}} | 0 | 21 | 2 | ||
| 2024–25
|9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 10 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!65 | 2 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | 68 | 2 | ||
| Akron Tolyatti
|Russian Premier League |7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 8 | 0 | |||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!285 | 11 | 22 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 333 | 12 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|4 June 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=30260|title=Ionuț Nedelcearu|publisher=European Football|access-date=28 March 2018}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="7"|Romania
|2018 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2020 | 4 | 2 | |
| 2021 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 2 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total | 27 | 2 |
{{Updated|8 September 2021.}}
:Scores and results list Romania's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Nedelcearu goal.
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Ionuț Nedelcearu |
| scope="col"|No.
!scope="col" data-sort-type="date"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Cap !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition |
|---|
| align="center"| 1
| rowspan=2| 11 November 2020 || rowspan=2| Stadionul Ilie Oană, Ploiești, Romania || align="center" rowspan=2|12 || rowspan=2| {{fb|Belarus}} || align="center"| 3–0 || rowspan=2 align="center"| 5–3 || rowspan=2| Friendly |
| align="center"| 2
|align="center"| 5–0 |
Honours
- Cupa României runner-up: 2015–16
- Cupa Ligii: 2016–17
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{RomanianSoccer|2676/ionut-nedelcearu}}
- {{NFT player|70934}}
- {{UEFA player|250055296}}
{{FC Akron Tolyatti squad}}
{{Romania squad UEFA Euro 2024}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nedelcearu, Ionut}}
Category:Footballers from Bucharest
Category:Romanian men's footballers
Category:Romania men's youth international footballers
Category:Romania men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Romania men's international footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:FC Dinamo București II players
Category:FC Dinamo București players
Category:Russian Premier League players
Category:Super League Greece players
Category:AEK Athens F.C. players
Category:FC Akron Tolyatti players
Category:Romanian expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Russia
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Greece
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy
Category:Romanian expatriate sportspeople in Russia
Category:Romanian expatriate sportspeople in Greece
Category:Romanian expatriate sportspeople in Italy