Ionuț Radu

Ionuț Andrei Radu (Romanian pronunciation: [joˈnut͡s anˈdrej ˈradu]; born 28 May 1997), known as Ionuț Radu[3][4] or Andrei Radu,[5][6][7] is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Premier League club AFC Bournemouth, on loan from Serie A side Inter Milan, and the Romania national team.

For the Romanian football defender, see Andrei Radu (footballer, born 1996).

Ionuț Radu
Radu in 2023
Personal information
Full name Ionuț Andrei Radu[1]
Date of birth (1997-05-28) 28 May 1997[2]
Place of birth Bucharest, Romania
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[2]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 AFC Bournemouth
(on loan from Inter Milan)
Number 20
Youth career
2005–2008 Viitorul București
2008–2012 Steaua București
2012–2013 Dinamo București
2013 Pergolettese
2013–2017 Inter Milan
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2019 Inter Milan 1 (0)
2017–2018 → Avellino (loan) 22 (0)
2018–2019 → Genoa (loan) 33 (0)
2019 Genoa 0 (0)
2019– Inter Milan 3 (0)
2019–2020 → Genoa (loan) 17 (0)
2020 → Parma (loan) 0 (0)
2022–2023 → Cremonese (loan) 9 (0)
2023 → Auxerre (loan) 17 (0)
2023– → AFC Bournemouth (loan) 0 (0)
International career‡
2017–2019 Romania U21 17 (0)
2022– Romania 4 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 3 June 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 28 March 2023

Radu began his professional career at Inter Milan, his senior output during his first stint consisting of only one match. He was loaned to Avellino in 2017, and the following year joined Genoa also on loan but with an obligation to buy. In the summer of 2019, the Nerazzurri activated his buy-back clause before loaning him again to the latter club and then to Parma, Cremonese, Auxerre and AFC Bournemouth.

In international football, Radu led Romania under-21 to the semi-finals of the UEFA Euro 2019 as their captain, and as a result was awarded the Romanian Footballer of the Year trophy. He then made his full debut for the country in September 2022, in a 1–1 Nations League draw with Finland.

Club career

Early career / Inter Milan

Radu began playing football at age eight with local Viitorul București, after his grandmother read a newspaper announcement.[8] He was transferred to FC Steaua București in 2008, and left the club for rival side Dinamo București three years later.[9] In 2013, he relocated to Italy by briefly joining Pergolettese at the start of the year and then being assigned to Inter Milan's junior squads in the summer.[10]

On 14 May 2016, during the last matchday of the campaign, Radu made his senior debut for Inter by entering as a 72nd-minute substitute for Juan Pablo Carrizo in a 3–1 Serie A away defeat to Sassuolo.[11][12] On 4 October that year, he penned down a new four-season deal with the Nerazzurri which would have run until June 2020.[13]

Radu agreed to a one-year loan at Serie B club Avellino with an option to buy on 15 July 2017.[14] He made his debut in the second round of the Coppa Italia, a 1–0 home win over Matera on 6 August.[15] On 18 September, he made his Serie B debut in a 1–1 home draw with Venezia,[16] and on 24 October kept his first clean sheet in a 1–0 home win over Pro Vercelli.[17] Radu ended his loan with the Biancoverdi with 24 appearances, five clean sheets and 30 conceded goals.

2018–2019: Breakthrough season

On 29 June 2018, 21-year-old Radu was loaned to Genoa with an obligation to join them on a full transfer the following season.[3] Genoa Chairman Enrico Preziosi claimed the subsequent fee was €9 million, which made Radu the most expensive Romanian goalkeeper,[18][19] while the financial report of Inter showed €8 million.[20] The deal also included an undisclosed buy-back clause.[21]

After Federico Marchetti was used as a starter in the first four games of the 2018–19 season, Radu made his debut on 26 September against Chievo in the Serie A, managing to keep a clean sheet in the 2–0 victory.[7] He was deemed at fault for several goals his team conceded in the next fixtures, including Cristiano Ronaldo's opener in a 1–1 draw with Juventus on 20 October[22][23] and Alessio Romagnoli's late volley in a 2–1 loss to AC Milan on the 31st the same month;[24] he was however encouraged by manager Ivan Jurić, who blamed young age as the source of his errors.[25] On 3 November, he conceded five goals in a loss to his parent club Inter.[26]

Radu was nominated for Gazeta Sporturilor's 2018 Romanian Footballer of the Year award in late November.[27] On 22 December, he saved one of the two penalty kicks awarded to Atalanta in a 3–1 home victory at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.[28] In January 2019, he was included by UEFA.com in a list of the 50 Best Young Footballers to watch for that year.[29] Radu managed to stay the first-choice goalkeeper under three managers, and amassed 33 league appearances throughout the season.

2019–2020: Return and fall out of favour

In June 2019, after Genoa paid the transfer fee for Radu's permanent move, he was immediately bought back by Inter Milan for €12 million.[30] He however continued at Genoa on another loan.[31]

In December, Radu was announced as the recipient of the 2019 Romanian Footballer of the Year award by the Gazeta Sporturilor daily. He appeared in 17 Serie A games before leaving Genoa in the 2020 winter transfer window, as a result of some unconvincing performances.

Return to Inter Milan

Inter Milan loaned Radu out to Parma for the remainder of the 2019–20 season, but he did not play in any game during his stint at the Stadio Ennio Tardini. The next campaign, he appeared in two Serie A matches for Inter as they became national champions of Italy for the first time in 11 years.[32]

In a rare start on 27 April 2022, Radu committed an error which allowed Nicola Sansone to score the winner in a 2–1 league loss to Bologna. That result dropped Inter to second place in the table, where they remained for the rest of the season behind eventual champions AC Milan.[33]

Various loans

On 8 July 2022, Radu joined Cremonese on a season-long loan.[34] On 25 January 2023, he moved on a new loan to Auxerre in France.[35]

On 27 July 2023, Premier League side AFC Bournemouth announced the signing of Radu from Inter on a season long-loan, with a future option to make the move permanent.[36]

International career

Radu is a former Romania youth international at under-21 level, featuring for the side in the 2019 UEFA European Championship qualifiers. He made his debut on 13 June 2017, in a 2–0 away win over Liechtenstein.[37] Radu captained both of the group matches in September 2018, saving a penalty to preserve a win against Portugal and keeping a clean sheet in a victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.[4] The following month, Tricolorii mici finished on top of the group and qualified for the final tournament.

In May 2019, Radu was called up to the Romania senior squad for the approaching UEFA Euro 2020 qualifiers against Norway and Malta, but was not handed his full debut.[38] In June, he started in all three group fixtures of the UEFA Under-21 Euro in Italy, keeping a clean sheet in a draw against France which secured the first place for his nation. Romania were eventually eliminated by defending champions Germany in the semi-finals, after a 4–2 loss.[39]

Personal life

Radu had an elder sister, who died in 2006 at age 14; he used to wear a t-shirt with a picture of her under the kit during the time he was a junior.[4][9] He is the cousin of defender Andrei Radu, with whom he shares the same name.[40]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 27 September 2023[41]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Inter Milan 2015–16 Serie A 1000——10
2016–17 000000—00
2020–21 200000—20
2021–22 1010000020
Total 4010000050
Avellino (loan) 2017–18 Serie B 22020——240
Genoa (loan) 2018–19 Serie A 33000——330
2019–20 17020——19 0
Total 50020——520
Parma (loan) 2019–20 Serie A 0000——00
Cremonese (loan) 2022–23 Serie A 9010——100
Auxerre (loan) 2022–23 Ligue 1 17000——170
AFC Bournemouth (loan) 2023–24 Premier League 0000—2000
Career total 10206000201100

International
As of match played 28 March 2023[42]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Romania
202220
202320
Total40

Honours

Inter Milan[41]

Individual

References
  1. "2023/24 Premier League squad lists". Premier League. 13 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  2. "Ionuț Radu". Premier League. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  3. "Radu ceduto al Genoa" [Radu makes Genoa switch] (Press release) (in Italian). FC Internazionale Milano. 29 June 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  4. "ROMANIA BOSNIA U21. Drama teribilă a eroului din Portugalia. Portarul Ionuţ Radu poartă pe sub tricou poza surorii decedate" [ROMANIA BOSNIA U21. The terrible tragedy of the hero from Portugal. Goalkeeper Ionuț Radu wears under his t-shirt the picture of his deceased sister]. România TV (in Romanian). 11 September 2018.
  5. Ionuț Radu on Instagram
  6. "Andrei Radu" (in Italian). Genoa C.F.C. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  7. "Andrei Radu, căpitanul naționalei U21, debut excelent în Serie A pentru Genoa » Laude în Gazzetta dello Sport + Ce notă a primit portarul român" [Andrei Radu, the U21 national captain, excellent debut in Serie A for Genoa » Praises in Gazzetta dello Sport + What mark did the Romanian goalkeeper get]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 27 September 2018.
  8. "Un fost fotbalist al FCSB șochează: "La Dinamo m-am prefăcut că-s accidentat! Cea mai bună decizie a mea"" [A former FCSB player shocks: "I pretended to be injured at Dinamo! It was my best decision"] (in Romanian). Gazeta Sporturilor. 15 December 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  9. "Andrei Radu, cel mai bun portar al generaţiei Under14: "Sora mea din Ceruri e îngerul meu păzitor"" [Andrei Radu, the best goalkeeper of the Under-14 generation: "My sister from Heaven is my guardian angel"] (in Romanian). Gazeta Sporturilor. 15 February 2012. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  10. "Ionuţ Andrei Radu, fotbalistul român care impresionează Italia. La doar 19 ani apără poarta lui Inter Milano" [Ionuț Andrei Radu, the Romanian footballer that impresses in Italy. At only 19 years he keeps the goal of Inter Milan] (in Romanian). România TV. 22 February 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  11. "Inter Milan end Serie A campaign with a wearly defeat at Sassuolo". ESPN FC. 15 May 2016. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  12. "Ionuţ Andrei Radu, fost junior la Steaua şi Dinamo, a debutat pentru Inter. Moment de neuitat" [Ionuț Andrei Radu, former youth player at Steaua and Dinamo, made his debut for Inter. Unforgettable moment] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 15 May 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  13. "Radu nerazzurro fino al 2020" [Radu signs deal until 2020] (in Italian). Internazionale. 4 October 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  14. "Radu a titolo temporaneo all'Avellino" [Radu loaned to Avellino] (in Italian). Internazionale. 15 July 2017. Archived from the original on 24 June 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  15. "Avellino vs. Matera – 6 August 2017". Soccerway. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  16. "Avellino vs. Venezia – 18 September 2017". Soccerway. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  17. "Avellino vs. Pro Vercelli – 24 October 2017". Soccerway. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  18. "S-a aflat abia acum. Cât a costat, de fapt, Ionuţ Radu" [It was revealed only now. How much did Ionuț Radu actually cost] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 27 September 2018.
  19. "Preziosi boom: "Marchetti? Puntiamo su Radu: che scoperta! Piatek stellare, Pandev…"" (in Italian). SOS Fanta. 26 September 2018.
  20. F.C. Internazionale Milano S.p.A. al 2018-06-30. Registro Imprese (Report) (in Italian). C.C.I.A.A. 2018.
  21. "Radu, 'Against us Inter played the best match of their season'". CalcioMercato.com. 4 April 2019. Retrieved 13 April 2019. The former Inter Primavera, who the Nerrazurri have a buyback option on, conceded four but prevented the Nerazzurri from making the passive much heavier
  22. "Juventus - Genoa 1-1. Andrei Radu a blocat-o pe "Bătrâna Doamnă", CR7 a mai stabilit un record" [Juventus - Genoa 1–1. Andrei Radu blocked "the Old Lady", CR7 set another record] (in Romanian). Telekom Sport. 20 October 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  23. "Italienii nu au apreciat prestaţia lui Ionuţ Radu cu Juventus: "Te ia cu ameţeli când îl vezi ieşind"" [The Italians did not appreciate Ionuț Radu's display against Juventus: "Seeing him get out of the goal makes you feel lightheaded"] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 21 October 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  24. Atkinson, Guy (1 November 2018). "Gattuso preaches caution after last-gasp Milan win". Goal. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  25. "Ionuț Radu, apărat de antrenorul de la Genoa! "Nu ar fi drept să-l crucificăm"" [Ionuț Radu, defended by Genoa's coach! "It wouldn't be fair to crucify him"] (in Romanian). Fanatik.ro. 1 November 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  26. "Inter thump Genoa to notch seventh straight league win". ESPN. 3 November 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  27. "Direct în cartea de istorie! Alegem împreună SUPERLATIVELE anului 2018 » Votează-ți preferații AICI!" [Straight in the history books! We are choosing together the SUPERLATIVES of the year 2018 » Vote your favorites HERE!]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 30 November 2018. Archived from the original on 30 November 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  28. "Ionuţ Radu, senzaţional! A apărat un penalty cu Atalanta şi a fost aproape să pareze încă unul" [Ionuț Radu, sensational! He saved a penalty against Atalanta and was close to keeping out another one] (in Romanian). Telekom Sport. 22 December 2018. Retrieved 25 December 2018.
  29. "50 for the future: UEFA.com's ones to watch for 2019". UEFA.com. 1 January 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  30. "Radu loaned back to Genoa". Football Italia. London: Tiro Media. 12 July 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  31. "Ionut Radu acquistato a titolo definitivo e ceduto in prestito" [Ionuț Radu signs for Inter and is subsequently loaned out] (in Italian). F.C. Internazionale Milano. 12 July 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  32. "Inter end Juventus' Serie A dominance with first title in 11 years". ESPN. 2 May 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  33. "VIDEO Ionuț Radu, dărâmat după greșeala care o poate costa titlul pe Inter! Cum l-au surprins camerele TV pe român și ce au făcut colegii" [VIDEO Ionuț Radu, torn down by the mistake that could cost Inter the title! How the TV cameras caught the Romanian and what his teammates did] (in Romanian). Gazeta Sporturilor. 28 April 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  34. "Andrei Radu joins Cremonese". Inter Milan. 8 July 2022. Archived from the original on 8 July 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  35. "ANDREI IONUT RADU REJOINT L'AJA" (in French). AJ Auxerre. 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  36. "Radu links up with Cherries for 23/24 season". AFCB. 26 July 2023. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  37. "Liechtenstein U21 vs. Romania U21 – 13 June 2017". Soccerway. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  38. "Convocarea la naţionala mare? "Ca o cireaşă de pe tort". Portarul Andrei Radu vorbeşte despre debutul la România lui Cosmin Contra" [The call up for the national team? "Like the icing on a cake." Goalkeeper Andrei Radu talks about his debut in Cosmin Contra's team] (in Romanian). ProSport. 31 May 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
  39. "Germany 4–2 Romania". UEFA.com. 27 June 2019. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  40. "Andrei Radu promite să fie în lotul României la Euro: "A fost greu să văd bucuria calificării! Voi fi și eu acolo"" [Andrei Radu promises to be in the Romanian squad at the Euro: "It was hard to see the joy of the qualification! I'll be there too"]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 6 March 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  41. Ionuț Radu at Soccerway. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  42. "Ionuț Radu". European Football. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  43. "Ionuț Radu, cel mai bun fotbalist al anului: "Acum 13 ani, când eram la Steaua, i-am promis tatălui meu că voi lua acest trofeu"" [Ionuț Radu, the best footballer of the year: "Thirteen years ago, when I played for Steaua, I promised my dad I would take this trophy"]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 17 December 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
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