Alexandru Epureanu (born 27 September 1986) is a Moldovan former professional footballer who played as a centre-back.
Club career Born in Chișinau, Epureanu joined FC Sheriff Tiraspol in summer 2004.
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. 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. 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.
In January 2023, Epureanu departed Başakşehir and subsequently joined Ümraniyespor until the end of the season. On 25 March 2024, he confirmed that he retired from football.
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. In September 2019, Epureanu retired from the national team due to a knee injury. However, he returned in August 2020. He ranks first in terms of all-time appearances for Moldova. On 31 March 2021, he made his 100th and last appearance for Moldova in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Israel.
Career statistics
Club
ClubSeasonLeagueCupEuropeOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsZimbru Chișinău2002–03Moldovan National Division50 00—502003–04242 30—272Total292 30—322Sheriff Tiraspol2004–05Moldovan National Division220 00—2202005–06272 42—3142006–07171 40—211Total663 82—745FC Moscow2007Russian Premier League230 ——23020082412130—292200925210——262Total7233130—784Dynamo Moscow2010Russian Premier League23220——2522011–1214130——1712012–137000——70Total44350——493Krylia Sovetov (loan)2012–13Russian Premier League17121——192Anzhi Makhachkala (loan)2013–14701041—121Anzhi Makhachkala2013–141020040—142İstanbul Başakşehir2014–15Süper Lig32410——3342015–161409000—2302016–173016040—4012017–1831610100—4262018–192221120—2532019–202900050—3402020–213002050103802021-222211000002312022-234000000040Total211142112601026215 Career total456283234831054034
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsMoldova2006302007912008100200981201071201180201261201370201483201530201670201770201880201900202060202130Total1007
Scores and results list Moldova's goal tally first. + List of international goals scored by Alexandru Epureanu No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1 24 March 2007 Zimbru Stadium, Chișinău 1–1 1–1 Euro 2008 qualifier 2 12 August 2009 Republican Stadium, Yerevan 4–1 4–1 Friendly 3 3 March 2010 Antalya Atatürk Stadium, Antalya 1–0 1–0 Friendly 4 16 October 2012 Stadio Olimpico, Serravalle 2–0 2–0 2014 World Cup qualifier 5 5 March 2014 Estadi Comunal d'Andorra la Vella, Andorra la Vella 1–0 3–0 Friendly 6 3–0 7 12 October 2014 Otkrytie Arena, Moscow 1–1 1–1 Euro 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.
Honours Club Zimbru Chișinău Moldovan Cup: 2003–04
Sheriff Tiraspol Divizia Naţională: 2004–05, 2005–06 Moldovan Cup: 2005–06 Moldovan Supercup: 2005
Dynamo Moscow Russian Cup runner-up: 2011–12
İstanbul Başakşehir Süper Lig: 2019–20
Individual Moldovan Footballer of the Year: 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2018 Süper Lig Defender of the Season: 2018–19 Süper Lig Team of the Season: 2018–19
See also List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps
References
External links