Alexandru Cicâldău

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

Alexandru Cicâldău
Personal information
Full name Alexandru Cicâldău
Date of birth (1997-07-08) 8 July 1997
Place of birth Satu Nou, Romania[1]
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Universitatea Craiova
Number 10
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– Universitatea Craiova 83 (25)
National team‡
2015 Romania U18 1 (0)
2015–2016 Romania U19 6 (0)
2017–2019 Romania U21 15 (2)
2018– Romania 10 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 30 November 2020
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 14 October 2020

He started his career as a junior at Marcon Star Medgidia, before moving to Viitorul Constanța with which he recorded his professional debut in 2016. Two years later, he transferred to Universitatea Craiova.

Cicâldău made his full international debut for Romania in March 2018.

Club career

Early years / Viitorul Constanța

Cicâldău was raised in Satu Nou, a village near Medgidia, Constanța County, and started practising football at the age of 8. After initially playing at Marcon Star Medgidia, he joined the Gheorghe Hagi Academy, which serves as the youth setup of Viitorul Constanța.[2]

Cicâldău made his debut in the first division for Viitorul on 31 March 2016, aged 18, in a 1–1 away draw with ASA Târgu Mureș.[3] He became a regular starter for the club in the 2017–18 season,[4] amassing 38 appearances and one goal in all competitions.

Universitatea Craiova

On 6 July 2018, Cicâldău agreed to a four-year contract with CS Universitatea Craiova, being assigned the number 10 shirt.[5] Press reported the fee at figures between €750,000 and €1 million plus interest on the capital gain of a potential future transfer.[2][6][7] He made his first appearance for "the White-Blues" eight days later in the Supercupa României, playing the full match as CFR Cluj came victorious 1–0.[8]

Cicâldău netted his first goal in a 3–0 away league win over Astra Giurgiu, on 26 October.[9] He found the net again after four days, this time in the Cupa României in an eventual 4–1 victory against Turris Turnu Măgurele.[10] On 31 March 2019, Cicâldău scored a header in a 2–3 away loss to FCSB.[11] He recorded his first goal in European competitions on 18 July that year, scoring the opener in a 3–2 home success against Azerbaijani club 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 new contract with Craiova which would run until 2025.[14]

On 31 January 2020, in the opening game of the calendar year, Cicâldau scored twice before half-time in an eventual 3–1 defeat of Gaz Metan Mediaș. The second goal came from a direct free kick, and the double—which was the first in his professional career—took his tally in the competition to eight goals.[15] On 28 June, Cicâldău scored the winner in a 3–2 away victory over two-time defending champions CFR Cluj.[16] Two fixtures later on 12 July, he opened the scoring by converting a penalty in a 2–1 win against FCSB.[17] Cicâldau ended the Liga I season with 14 goals, as Universitatea lost the league title to CFR Cluj in the last home game.[18]

International career

Cicâldău received his first call up for the Romania senior team in March 2018.[19] 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.[20] His first official game for the country came on 17 November, in a 3–0 UEFA Nations League defeat of Lithuania.[21]

The following year he represented his country under-21 side at the 2019 UEFA European Championship, where they managed to progress past the group stage before being eliminated by defending champions Germany in the semi-finals.[22] He earned four caps during the final tournament, all as a starter.

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.[23] A player with widely-praised technique, he has been noted for his work ethic.[24][25]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 6 February 2021[26]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Viitorul Constanța 2015–16 Liga I 20———20
2016–17 603000—90
2017–18 341003010381
Total 421303010491
Universitatea Craiova 2018–19 Liga I 354512010435
2019–20 32143151004016
2020–21 21 7 1 0 1 0 — 23 7
Total 882592811010628
Career total 130261221112015529

    International
    As of 14 October 2020[27]
    National teamYearAppsGoals
    Romania
    201830
    201930
    202040
    Total100

    Honours

    Club

    Viitorul Constanța

    Universitatea Craiova

    Individual

    References
    1. https://www.ziuaconstanta.ro/stiri/sport/fotbalistul-alexandru-cicaldau-special-de-mic-povesteste-izmir-abdulgani-cand-joaca-baietii-de-la-medgidia-sa-l-vedem-pe-blondul-galerie-718450.html
    2. "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.
    3. "ASA Tg. Mureș - Viitorul 1-1" (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 31 March 2016. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
    4. "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.
    5. "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.
    6. "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.
    7. "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.
    8. "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.
    9. "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.
    10. "Craiova a facut spectacol cu echipa lui Dragnea, in Cupa Romaniei" [Craiova impressed against Dragnea's team, in the Romanian Cup]. Ziare.ro (in Romanian). 30 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. "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.
    20. "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.
    21. "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.
    22. "Germany 4–2 Romania". UEFA.com. 27 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
    23. ""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.
    24. "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.
    25. "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.
    26. Alexandru Cicâldău at Soccerway. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
    27. "Alexandru Cicâldău". European Football. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
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