Cătălin Alin Vulturar (born 9 March 2004) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Liga I club Rapid București.
Club career Born in Arad, Romania, Vulturar started his career with UTA Arad, making his first team debut at the age of fourteen. After rejecting an offer from FCSB, and trialling with Barcelona and Liverpool, he signed for Italian side Lecce in 2020. In completing the transfer, he became the most expensive sale in UTA Arad history.
In October 2021, he was named by English newspaper The Guardian as one of the best players born in 2004 worldwide. He has since been named captain of Lecce's under-19 side. He won the Campionato Primavera with them in 2023.
On 1 February 2024, Lecce announced Vulturar's transfer to Rapid București. Lecce reserved 40% of the sell-on fee and an option to match a purchase offer. Three weeks later, in order to gain playing minutes and adapt to Romanian football, he was sent on loan to UTA Arad until the summer, due to a huge number of midfielders in the team squad.
International career Vulturar has represented Romania at under-18 and under-19 level.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueCupa RomânieiEuropeOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsUTA Arad2018–19Liga II1000—00102019–20Liga II2010——30Total3010—0040Rapid București2024–25Liga I7020——902025–26Liga I23220——2522026–27Liga I10000——100Total40240——442UTA Arad (loan)2023–24Liga I90———90Career total52250—00572
Honours UTA Arad Liga II: 2019–20
References