Lucian Iulian Cristea (; born 17 July 1994) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or a defensive midfielder for Liga I club Universitatea Cluj.
Club career After playing over 110 matches in all competitions for his hometown club Gaz Metan Mediaș, Cristea moved to fellow Liga I team FCSB on 26 February 2019. He signed a five-year contract for a €150,000 transfer fee.
On 13 June 2023, after being released by FCSB, Cristea moved to cross-town rivals Rapid București on a two-year deal. He terminated his agreement with Rapid București on 31 May 2024, and on 5 June Universitatea Cluj announced the signing of Cristea as a free agent.
International career On 10 June 2019, Cristea made his debut for the Romania national team in a 4–0 win against Malta counting for the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifiers.
Style of play Cristea has been described as versatile, due to his ability to play equally well as either a centre-back or a defensive midfielder, and has been noted for his aerial prowess.
Career statistics
Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueCupa RomânieiCupa LigiiEuropeOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsGaz Metan Mediaș2014–15Liga I1501000——1602015–16Liga II22100———2212016–17Liga I2811000——2912017–18Liga I21150———2612018–19Liga I23310———243Total109680— ——1176FCSB2018–19Liga I101————1012019–20Liga I28130—71—3822020–21Liga I35400—10003642021–22Liga I33210—10—3522022–23Liga I14000—00—140Total120840—91001339Rapid București2023–24Liga I14021———161Universitatea Cluj2024–25Liga I32200———3222025–26Liga I34130—20—3912026–27Liga I9010—4010150Total75340—6010863Career total31817181001511035219
International
National teamYearAppsGoalsRomania201910202020202210Total40
Honours Gaz Metan Mediaș Liga II: 2015–16
FCSB Cupa României: 2019–20 Supercupa României runner-up: 2020
Universitatea Cluj Cupa României runner-up: 2025–26 Supercupa României runner-up: 2026
Individual Liga I Team of the Season: 2021–22 Liga I Team of the Championship Play-Offs: 2018–19
References
External links