Denis Alibec

Denis Alibec (born 5 January 1991) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Turkish club Kayserispor and the Romania national team.

Denis Alibec
Alibec in 2016
Personal information
Date of birth (1991-01-05) 5 January 1991
Place of birth Mangalia, Romania
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Forward
Club information
Current team
 Kayserispor
Number 77
Youth career
2001–2006 Callatis Mangalia
2006 Steaua București
2006–2009 Farul Constanța
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2009 Farul Constanța 18 (2)
2009–2014 Internazionale 2 (0)
2011–2012 → Mechelen (loan) 11 (0)
2012–2013 → Viitorul Constanța (loan) 17 (5)
2013–2014 → Bologna (loan) 1 (0)
2014–2017 Astra Giurgiu 64 (32)
2017–2018 FCSB 34 (9)
2018–2020 Astra Giurgiu 56 (20)
2020– Kayserispor 10 (2)
National team‡
2007–2008 Romania U17 6 (2)
2008–2010 Romania U19 9 (5)
2011–2012 Romania U21 5 (3)
2015– Romania 17 (2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19 January 2021
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 18 November 2020

Alibec began his senior career at Farul Constanța in 2008. The following year, aged 18, he was signed by Italian club Inter Milan.[1] Alibec was brought back to Romania by Astra Giurgiu in 2014,[2] after which he became a regular starter and goalscorer.[3] He aided the team in winning its first ever national title before joining his former youth club FCSB in 2017. Alibec fell out of favor at the capital-based club, transferred back to Astra and changed countries again in 2020 with Kayserispor.

Alibec is a full international for Romania from 2015,[4] and played at the UEFA Euro 2016.[5] He has previously represented the nation's under-17, under-19 and under-21 teams.

Club career

Early years

At the age of ten, after only playing ball on the beaches of native Mangalia, Alibec chose to focus entirely on football and joined Callatis Mangalia's youth setup.[3] He had a brief spell with Steaua București's juniors before making his senior debut on 27 September 2008 with Farul Constanța, where he managed to score two goals in 18 Liga I matches.[1]

Internazionale

In July 2009, it was announced that Alibec signed a four-year contract with Italian club Inter Milan.[6] On 19 May 2010, Alibec scored a goal in each half to give Inter victory over Bayern Munich in the UEFA Under-18 Challenge match, part of UEFA Grassroots Day.[7]

Alibec made his Serie A debut on 21 November 2010, coming on as a 68th-minute substitute for Jonathan Biabiany in a 1–2 defeat to Chievo Verona. He was in rich form in the Campionato Primavera Girone B after scoring eight goals in nine games. On 24 August 2011, Alibec was loaned to Belgian Pro League side Mechelen on a one-year deal.[8]

Astra Giurgiu
Alibec training with Astra Giurgiu in 2015.

In January 2014, Romanian club Astra Giurgiu transferred Alibec for an undisclosed fee, with the player penning a four-and-a-half-year contract.[2] He established himself as one of the top league's best players,[3] ending the 2015–16 campaign with 33 matches and 20 goals all competitions comprised as Astra claimed its first-ever championship title.[9]

On 18 August 2016, Alibec netted the equaliser in a 1–1 draw with West Ham United in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League play-off round.[10] He went on to make five appearances and score two goals in the group stage of the latter competition, with his notable display throughout 2016 winning him the Romanian Footballer of the Year award.[11]

FCSB

On 5 January 2017, Alibec moved to FCSB on a five-year deal for a transfer fee in the region of €2 million.[12] His buyout clause was set at €20 million.[13] He scored his first competitive goal from the penalty spot in a league game against CFR Cluj on 5 February.[14]

On 2 August 2017, Alibec scored his first European goal for the Roș-albaștrii in a UEFA Champions League third qualifying round 4–1 away win over Viktoria Plzeň.[15] After twelve matches without goal in the 2017–18 Liga I, Alibec finally found the net on 3 February 2018, in a 2–1 away victory against Gaz Metan Mediaș.[16]

Return to Astra Giurgiu

In July 2018, after falling out of favor at FCSB, Alibec returned to Astra Giurgiu in a transfer rumoured to be worth €1.4 million.[17][18] He managed to regain his form during his spell back at the Marin Anastasovici Stadium, as he scored 22 times in 61 games in all competitions.

Kayserispor

On 2 October 2020, the following day he officially transferred to Turkey with Kayserispor, where he joined former Astra teammates Silviu Lung Jr. and Cristian Săpunaru.[19][20]

He recorded his first goals in the Süper Lig on 19 January 2021, in a 2–0 victory over defending champions İstanbul Başakşehir.[21]

International career
Alibec (yellow in foreground) playing against Albania at the UEFA Euro 2016.

Alibec played for Romania's under-17, under-19 and under-21 teams. On 11 October 2015, after being called up on several occasions in the past, Alibec gained his first cap for the full side in the last UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match against Faroe Islands, replacing Bogdan Stancu in the 90th minute.[4]

In June 2016, he was picked by Anghel Iordănescu for his squad at the final tournament in France and appeared as a substitute in Romania's opening game, a 2–1 defeat to the host.[5]

Personal life

Alibec's father and uncle, Gevrim and Gelil, are Romanian tatars and played football together for about ten years at FC Neptun in the third division.[22][23]

Career statistics

Club
As of 19 January 2021[24]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Farul Constanța 2008–09 18200–––182
Total 18200000000182
Internazionale 2010–11 2000––0020
Total 200000000020
Mechelen (loan) 2011–12 11010–––120
Total 11010000000120
Viitorul Constanța (loan) 2012–13 23500–––235
Total 23500000000235
Bologna (loan) 2013–14 1020–––30
Total 102000000030
Astra Giurgiu 2013–14 9520–––115
2014–15 168002200001810
2015–16 2616202231–3319
2016–17 13300117300217
2018–19 26542–––307
2019–20 251410–––2614
2020–21 5 1 0 0 – – – 5 1
Total 1205292551040014463
FCSB 2016–17 148–11––159
2017–18 20100–72–273
Total 349001172004212
Kayserispor 2020–21 10221–––123
Total 10221000000123
Career total 21970143661760025685

International
As of 18 November 2020[25]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Romania
201310
201661
201720
201810
201910
2020 6 1
Total172

International goals
As of 7 September 2020 (Romania score listed first, score column indicates score after each Alibec goal)[25]
International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 29 May 2016Olimpico Grande Torino, Turin, Italy3 Ukraine2–43–4Friendly
2 7 September 2020Wörthersee Stadion, Klagenfurt, Austria12 Austria1–03–22020-21 UEFA Nations League B

Honours

Club

Internazionale[26]

Astra Giurgiu[24]

Individual

References
  1. "Citeşte povestea lui Denis Alibec, noul jucător al lui Inter Milano » De la 50 de euro pe lună la milioanele din Ligă" [Read the story of Denis Alibec, the new player of Inter Milano » From a salary of 50 euros a month to the millions of the UEFA Champions League] (in Romanian). Gazeta Sporturilor. 4 July 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  2. "Alibec a fost cumpărat definitiv de Astra de la Inter! A semnat pe 4 sezoane și jumătate cu giurgiuvenii" [Alibec was transferred by Astra from Inter! He signed a 4 1⁄2-year contract with the Giurgiu men] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 8 January 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  3. "Momentul decisiv care l-a transformat pe Denis Alibec din puştiul care bătea mingea pe plaja din Mangalia în vedeta din Liga I" [The crucial moment that transformed Denis Alibec from the kid that played ball on the beach of Mangalia to the Liga I star] (in Romanian). Adevărul. 5 May 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  4. "Insulele Feroe-România 0–3" [Faroe Islands-Romania 0–3]. Digi Sport. 11 October 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  5. "Romania Euro 2016 squad". The Daily Telegraph. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  6. "E oficial! Alibec la Inter! "Sunt bucuros, am semnat pe 4 ani!"" [It's official! Alibec, to Inter! "I'm delighted, I signed for four years!"]. ProSport. 3 July 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  7. "Inter take Under-18 honours". UEFA. 19 May 2010. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  8. "Denis Alibec naar KV Mechelen" [Denis Alibec to KV Mechelen] (in Dutch). KV Mechelen. 24 August 2011. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  9. "Marius Şumudică a scris istorie! Astra Giurgiu este a 24-a campioană a României" [Marius Șumudică made history! Astra is Romania's 24th champion] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 1 May 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  10. "Alibec a revenit cu gol! Prima reuşită după trei luni şi jumătate: "M-am sufocat după 10 minute"" [Alibec returned with a goal! He netted again after three and a half months: "I suffocated after 10 minutes"] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 18 August 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  11. "SUPERLATIVELE GSP 2016 Denis Alibec a fost ales fotbalistul anului: "Ce a câștigat Stanciu cu Steaua ca să mă depășească?"" [GSP SUPERLATIVES 2016 Denis Alibec was chosen footballer of the year: "What did Stanciu won with Steaua to surpass me?"] (in Romanian). Gazeta Sporturilor. 22 December 2016. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
  12. "Bine ai venit si La Multi Ani, Denis Alibec!" [Welcome and happy birthday, Denis Alibec!] (in Romanian). FC Steaua București. 5 January 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  13. "Clauza de reziliere de 20 de milioane de euro pentru Alibec la Steaua! Becali: "I-am zis ca e mai bun decat Benzema!" Ce salariu va avea la Steaua" [€20 million buyout clause for Alibec at Steaua! Becali: "I told him he's better than Benzema!" His salary at Steaua] (in Romanian). Sport.ro. 28 September 2016.
  14. "Debut de coşmar pentru Alibec. A marcat un gol, după un penalty scos tot de el, dar a fost eliminat stupid" [Nightmarish debut for Alibec. He scored a goal, after gaining the penalty himself, but was sent off stupidly] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 5 February 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  15. "Plzeň 1–4 FCSB". UEFA.com. 2 August 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
  16. "Alibec a marcat primul gol în campionat, dar s-a accidentat şi va fi şi suspendat cu CFR" [Alibec scored his first goal in the league championship, but got injured and will also be suspended against CFR] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 3 February 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  17. "Alibec nu mai este jucătorul FCSB! Becali a acceptat oferta de 1,4 milioane de euro" [Alibec is not a FCSB player anymore! Becali accepted the 1.4 million euros bid] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 26 July 2018.
  18. "Bine ai revenit, Denis Alibec!" [Welcome back, Denis Alibec!]. afcastragiurgiu.ro. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  19. "Denis Alibec, prezentat la Kayserispor. S-a pozat deja alături de Săpunaru şi Silviu Lung! Şumudică şi-a pus mâinile în cap" [Denis Alibec, presented at Kayserispor. He already took pictures with Săpunaru and Slviu Lung! Șumudica put his hands on his head] (in Romanian). Antena Sport. 2 October 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  20. "Este oficial! Alibec s-a transferat la Kayserispor! Cum a fost anuntata mutarea de catre turci" [It's official! Alibec transferred to Kayserispor! How the Turkish announced the move] (in Romanian). Sport.ro. 2 October 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  21. "Alibec, dublă în poarta campioanei Bașakșehir, la primul meci al său cu Dan Petrescu pe bancă" [Alibec, double against the champion Başakşehir, at his first match with Dan Petrescu as coach] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 19 January 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  22. "Alibec, povestea geniului capricios » Tatăl său, un tătar din Dobrogea, era vedetă în județ prin anii '80" [Alibec, the story of the capricious genius »His father, a Tatar from Dobrogea, was a star in the county in the '80s] (in Romanian). Gazeta Sporturilor. 21 April 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  23. "SPECIAL Steaua a scăpat de "consumatorul" Tamaş şi îl vrea pe fumătorul Alibec. Incursiune în trecutul tânărului botezat la 7 ani şi crescut doar de mamă. Incidentele de la echipele la care a jucat" [SPECIAL Steaua got rid of the "drinker" Tamas and wants Alibec the smoker. An inquisition in the past of the young man who was baptized at 7 years old and raised only by his mother. Incidents from the teams he played] (in Romanian). prosport.ro. 23 July 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  24. "D. Alibec". Soccerway. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  25. "Denis Alibec". European Football. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  26. "Player profile of Denis Alibec". Inter Milan. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  27. "Fotbalistul lunii – Decembrie 2015" [Player of the Month – December 2015] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. December 2015. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  28. "Fotbalistul lunii – Aprilie 2016" [Player of the Month – April 2016] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. April 2016. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  29. "Fotbalistul lunii – Mai 2017" [Player of the Month – May 2017] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. May 2017. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
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