Olimpiu Moruțan

Olimpiu Vasile Moruțan (Romanian pronunciation: [oˈlimpju vaˈsile moruˈt͡san]; born 25 April 1999) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or a winger for Süper Lig club Ankaragücü and the Romania national team.

Olimpiu Moruțan
Moruțan with Galatasaray in 2021
Personal information
Full name Olimpiu Vasile Moruțan
Date of birth (1999-04-25) 25 April 1999
Place of birth Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Height 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s) Attacking midfielder, winger
Team information
Current team
 Ankaragücü
Number 80
Youth career
2008–2015 Universitatea Cluj
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2016 Universitatea Cluj 15 (1)
2016–2018 Botoșani 55 (2)
2018–2021 FCSB 90 (12)
2021–2023 Galatasaray 26 (3)
2022–2023 → Pisa (loan) 35 (6)
2023– Ankaragücü 6 (1)
International career‡
2015–2017 Romania U17 4 (0)
2017–2018 Romania U19 10 (5)
2017–2021 Romania U21 16 (1)
2021– Romania 13 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 7 October 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15 October 2023

A youth exponent of Universitatea Cluj, he recorded his debut for the seniors at the start of 2016. Moruțan went on to amass over 140 appearances in the top tier for Botoșani and FCSB combined in the following seasons, before moving abroad at age 22 to sign for Galatasaray in Turkey.

Internationally, Moruțan represented Romania under-21 at the 2021 UEFA European Championship. He then made his full debut for the country in October that year, in a 1–0 victory over Armenia.

Club career

Early career

Born in Cluj-Napoca and raised in Cătina, Moruțan joined the academy of Universitatea Cluj in 2008.[1] At age 16, he played his first senior match for U Cluj in a 0–0 Liga II draw with Mioveni on 27 February 2016.[2] On 16 April, he scored in a 1–3 away loss to Olimpia Satu Mare.[3]

Moruțan moved to Botoșani in August 2016,[4] making his Liga I debut on 15 October by coming on as a 74th-minute substitute in a 1–2 defeat at Pandurii Târgu Jiu.[5] During early 2017, it was reported that FCSB, Atalanta and PSV Eindhoven were interested in acquiring him.[6][7][8] Moruțan scored his first goal for the club—and in the top division—on 25 September 2017, in a 1–0 win over defending champions Viitorul Constanța.[9]

FCSB

On 21 December 2017, FCSB agreed a deal in advance for the signing of Moruțan on a five-year contract from the start of the 2018–19 season.[10][11] They reportedly paid a €700,000 transfer fee, while Botoșani retained 20% interest.[12][13][14]

Moruțan made his debut on 21 July 2018, in a 0–1 Liga I defeat to Astra Giurgiu.[15] Four days later, he played in his first European game, a 2–0 away success over Rudar Velenje in the UEFA Europa League second qualifying round.[16] In the second leg in Bucharest on 2 August, he netted a goal after dribbling past several opponents and offered an assist as his team won 4–0,[17] which earned him praise from owner George Becali.[18] His first league goal came on 5 August, scoring the last in a 4–0 home win over Politehnica Iași.[19] On 28 September, it was revealed that FCSB in truth paid €1 million for the player and that it recently acquired another 10% of the economic rights for €400,000.[20]

Moruțan amassed 34 games in all competitions during his first year with the capital-based club, but started the majority of them on the bench. In the 2019–20 campaign he had poorer performances, which led Becali to criticise him heavily in the media.[21][22] During mid-2020, Moruțan began to cement his place in the starting lineup, and in October scored one each in the successive 2–0 and 5–0 wins over Academica Clinceni and Hermannstadt, respectively.[23][24]

On 13 March 2021, his headed goal helped to a 1–0 away defeat of UTA Arad,[25] and six days later he netted in a 3–0 victory against title contenders CFR Cluj.[26] FCSB ultimately lost the title as well as the postponed 2020 Supercupa României to the latter opponent, but Moruțan rose to prominence individually after totalling eight goals and eleven assists in the league. After an unsuccessful start to the 2021–22 season, the team dismissed its coach and he was again among the players targeted by the owner's criticism.[27]

Galatasaray

On 23 August 2021, following protracted negotiations,[28] the owner of FCSB announced that he accepted an offer worth €4.2 million plus €1.5 million in bonuses from Galatasaray for the transfer of Moruțan.[29] Two days later, the Turkish club officially confirmed the signing of a five-year contract, but only reported a €3.5 million fee without mentioning add-ons.[30]

Moruțan made his debut on the 29th that month in a 2–2 Süper Lig draw at Kasımpaşa, in which he assisted the opener of compatriot Alexandru Cicâldău and contributed to the second goal.[31][32] On 26 September, he scored in a 2–1 success over Göztepe,[33] and on 22 October provided an assist in a 1–0 victory over Lokomotiv Moscow in the Europa League group stage.[34]

Loan to Pisa

On 4 August 2022, Serie B team Pisa paid €150,000 to loan Moruțan for one season. The Italian side had the option to sign him permanently for €5.5 million, and the full transfer would have became mandatory depending on performance clauses.[35][36] Moruțan made his league debut on 13 August, providing two assists in a 3–4 loss to Cittadella, and the following fixture converted a penalty in a 2–2 draw with Como.[37]

Ankaragücü

On 20 August 2023, Moruțan signed a three-year contract with the option of another year with fellow Süper Lig team Ankaragücü for an initial €3 million transfer fee.[38] Galatasaray retained 50% interest on a possible future sale, but not less than another €3 million, and the percentage would be halved in case the specified fee is paid before the end of the season. The contract also included a €3 million buyback clause.[39]

International career

Moruțan was selected by head coach Adrian Mutu for the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, playing in all three matches against the Netherlands, Hungary and Germany. He started in the 1–1 draw and the 2–1 victory against the former two, respectively, and entered the field in the second half of the goalless draw with the latter as Romania finished third in its group.[40][41]

Moruțan earned his first cap for the full side on 11 October 2021, coming on for goal scorer Alexandru Mitriță in a 1–0 success over Armenia in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.[42] He scored his first goal for the nation by opening the scoring in a 5–0 friendly win over Moldova, on 20 November 2022.[43]

Style of play

Moruțan is capable of playing in several advanced midfield positions, and during his time at Botoșani was regarded by former international Dan Petrescu as Romania's future number 10.[44]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 7 October 2023[45]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup Continental[lower-alpha 1] Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Universitatea Cluj 2015–16 Liga II 15100——151
Botoșani 2016–17 Liga I 19000——190
2017–18 Liga I 36240——402
Total 55240——592
FCSB 2018–19 Liga I 2722051—343
2019–20 Liga I 2515100—302
2020–21 Liga I 33800201[lower-alpha 2]0368
2021–22 Liga I 51002[lower-alpha 3]00071
Total 901271911010714
Galatasaray 2021–22 Süper Lig 2631070—343
Pisa (loan) 2022–23 Serie B 35610——366
Ankaragücü 2023–24 Süper Lig 6100——61
Career total 227251311611025727
  1. All appearances in UEFA Europa League, unless otherwise noted
  2. Appearance in Supercupa României
  3. Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League

International
As of match played 15 October 2023[46]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Romania
202130
202221
202380
Total131
Scores and results list Romania's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Moruțan goal.[46]
List of international goals scored by Olimpiu Moruțan
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 20 November 2022Zimbru Stadium, Chișinău, Moldova Moldova1–05–0Friendly

Honours

FCSB[45]

Individual

References
  1. "Reportaj acasă la bunicii lui "Bambi" Olimpiu Moruțan, noul jucător al lui Galatasaray! "Mamă cum alerga oile bunicului!" Exclusiv" [Report at the home of Olimpiu "Bambi" Moruțan's grandparents, the new player of Galatasaray! "The way he chased grandfather's sheep!" Exclusive] (in Romanian). Fanatik.ro. 25 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  2. ""U" Cluj a remizat cu CS Mioveni, scor 0–0, în prima etapă din 2016" [„U” Cluj draw with CS Mioveni, score 0–0, in the first game of 2016] (in Romanian). Monitorul de Cluj. 27 February 2017. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  3. "Gol magnific marcat de Moruțan la Satu-Mare" [Amazing goal scored by Moruțan at Satu Mare] (in Romanian). Numai U. 17 April 2016. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  4. "Olimpiu Morutan a semnat cu FC Botosani. "Va fi al doilea Hagi", spune Leo Grozavu" [Olimpiu Moruțan signed for FC Botoșani "He will be the second Hagi", says Leo Grozavu] (in Romanian). Botoșani Necenzurat. 12 August 2016.
  5. "Pandurii – FC Botoșani 2–1. Gorjenii se impun și urcă pe loc de play-off" [Pandurii – FC Botoșani 2–1. Gorjenii take it and reach play-off zone] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 15 October 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  6. "Oficialii echipei confirmă: "Am discutat cu Gigi Becali. Doar Steaua și-l poate permite"" [The club officials confirm: "We talked with Gigi Becali. Only Steaua can afford him"]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 6 April 2017. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
  7. "Un club din Liga 1 ar putea da lovitura: "PSV şi-a trimis reprezentanţii în România!"" [A Liga 1 club could hit the jackpot: "PSV sent its scouts to Romania!"] (in Romanian). ProSport. 7 April 2017. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
  8. "Dorit de FCSB, Moruțan a intrat și în atenția unei echipe din Serie A! Ce ofertă au făcut italienii" [Wanted by FCSB, Moruțan also sparkled interest from a Serie A team! The offer made by the Italians] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 7 April 2017. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
  9. "Moruțan confirmă forma bună! Gol decisiv în victoria lui Botoșani cu Viitorul lui Hagi, 1–0" [Moruțan confirms his good form! Decisive goal in Botoșani's victory against Hagi's Viitorul, 1–0]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 25 September 2017. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  10. "Bine ai venit, Olimpiu Morutan!" [Welcome, Olimpiu Moruțan!] (in Romanian). FC Steaua București. 21 December 2017. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  11. "EXCLUSIV Moruțan a semnat cu FCSB! Prima imagine cu mijlocașul de la Botoșani în tricoul roș-albastru" [EXCLUSIVE Moruțan signed for FCSB! The first photograph of the Botoșani midfielder in the red and blue kit]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 21 December 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  12. "Olimpiu Moruțan e jucătorul FCSB-ului! Detaliile contractului şi reacţia lui Becali: "I-am urat 'Sărbători fericite' şi i-am spus că ne vedem anul viitor"" [Olimpiu Moruțan is FCSB's player! The details of the contract and Becali's reaction: "I wished him 'Happy holidays' and told him we'll see each other next year!"] (in Romanian). ProSport. 21 December 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  13. "Olimpiu Morutan a semnat cu FCSB – Clauza de reziliere de 70 de milioane de euro" [Olimpiu Moruțan signed with FCSB – Release clause of 70 million euros] (in Romanian). Hotnews.ro. 21 December 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  14. "Cum a încercat Şahtior să-l "deturneze" pe Moruţan şi de ce a ales-o jucătorul pe FCSB" [How Shakhtar tried to "hijack" Moruţan and why he chose FCSB] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 22 December 2017. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  15. ""Aveţi grijă cu el, e fantastic!" VIDEO | Singurul remarcat al FCSB după o seară neagră. Omul propus la naţională după 45 de minute" ["Be careful with him, he's fantastic!" VIDEO | The only noted player of FCSB after a dark evening. The man proposed to the national team after 45 minutes] (in Romanian). Telekom Sport. 22 July 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  16. "Rudar – FCSB 0-2. Calificarea e o formalitate pentru roş-albaştri. Man şi Teixeira au marcat. Tănase, cu ratările" [Rudar – FCSB 0-2. The qualification is a formality for the Roș-albaștrii. Man and Teixeira scored. Tănase, with the misses] (in Romanian). DigiSport. 26 July 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  17. "Europa League: FCSB - Rudar 4-0 / Calificare lejeră pentru roș-albaștri - Duel cu Hajduk Split în turul trei preliminar" [Europa League: FCSB - Rudar 4-0 / Effortless qualification for the Roș-albaștrii - Confrontation with Hajduk Split in the third qualifying round] (in Romanian). Hotnews.ro. 2 August 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  18. "Gigi Becali îl laudă pe Moruţan: "Driblează mai bine ca Hagi"" [Gigi Becali praises Moruțan: "He dribbles better than Hagi"] (in Romanian). Fanatik.ro. 3 August 2018. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  19. "FCSB - Poli Iaşi 4-0. Vicecampioana a defilat pe Arena Naţională. Gnohere a reuşit o dublă, Bălaşa i-a dat emoţii lui Dică" [FCSB - Poli Iași 4–0. The vice-champion marched victoriously on the National Arena. Gnohéré scored a double, Bălașa made Dică nervous] (in Romanian). ProSport. 5 August 2018. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  20. ""Am dat azi pe el 4 milioane de euro!" Anunțul făcut de Becali la miezul nopții" ["I paid 4 million euros for him today!" The announcement made by Becali in the middle of the night] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 28 September 2018.
  21. "Impresarul lui Olimpiu Moruțan îl apără pe fotbalistul criticat de Becali: "Vreau să lămuresc toată nebunia asta. Are mașina de la un dealer"" [Olimpiu Moruțan's agent defends the footballer criticized by Becali: "I want to make things clear. He got the car from a dealership"]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 5 February 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  22. "Avertisment pentru Olimpiu Moruţan! Derapaj după ce Gigi Becali l-a criticat: "Îl plesneşti. Nu mai face a doua oară"" [A warning for Olimpiu Moruţan! Tripping after Gigi Becali criticized him: "You slap him. He won't do it a second time"]. Telekom Sport (in Romanian). 13 April 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  23. "Academica Clinceni - FCSB 0-2. VIDEO+FOTO Becali își freacă palmele! "Perlele" Man și Moruțan l-au salvat, cu două execuții geniale" [Academica Clinceni - FCSB 0–2. VIDEO+PHOTO Becali is full of joy! The "jewels" Man and Moruțan saved him, with two exceptional executions!]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 19 October 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  24. "FCSB – Hermannstadt 5-0, VIDEO | Roș-albaștrii au umilit o echipă fără vlagă într-un meci în care doar cine n-a vrut n-a marcat! Chiar și Buș a înscris" [FCSB – Hermannstadt 5–0, VIDEO | The Red-Blues humiliated a team without strength in a match in which everybody who wanted scored! Even Buș scored] (in Romanian). ProSport. 26 October 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  25. "Moruțan s-a "zăpăcit" după ce a semnat victoria lui FCSB la Arad! A uitat când a mai dat gol cu capul" [Moruţan was "distraught" after signing FCSB's victory in Arad! He forgot when the last time he scored a header] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 13 March 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  26. ""Am arătat de la început ca o campioană". Olimpiu Moruțan are planuri mari la naționala U21, după ce a bătut CFR Cluj" ["We looked like a champion from the beginning." Olimpiu Moruțan has big plans at the U21 national team, after defeating CFR Cluj] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 19 March 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  27. "Olimpiu Moruțan, umilit în direct: "Ce cauți la FCSB? Credeam că iau bani mulți, dar nu face nici 200.000 euro!" + Motivul halucinant invocat pentru regres" [Olimpiu Moruțan, humiliated on live TV: "What are you doing at FCSB? I thought he would bring me a lot of money, but he is not even worth 200,000 euros!" + The unbelievable reason invoked for his regress]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 16 July 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  28. "Gigi Becali i-a enervat pe turci » Oficialii lui Galatasaray au luat foc după ce patronul FCSB a anunțat transferul lui Moruțan" [Gigi Becali annoyed the Turks » The Galatasaray officials caught on fire after the FCSB owner announced Moruțan's transfer]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 1 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  29. "Gigi Becali a acceptat! "Da, l-am vândut pe Moruțan la Galata!". Câți bani va încasa FCSB" [Gigi Becali has accepted! "Yes, I sold Moruțan to Galata!" How much money will FCSB receive] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 23 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  30. "Olimpiu Vasile Moruţan Galatasaray'da!" [Olimpiu Vasile Moruțan is at Galatasaray] (in Turkish). Galatasaray S.K. 25 August 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  31. "Kasimpasa - Galatasaray 2-2. Debut excelent pentru Moruțan: assist pentru Cicâldău și contribuție la al doilea gol" [Kasımpaşa - Galatasaray 2–2. Excellent debut for Moruțan: assist for Cicâldău and contribution in the second goal] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 29 August 2021.
  32. "ÖZET | Kasımpaşa-Galatasaray maç sonucu: 2-2" [SUMMARY | Kasımpaşa-Galatasaray match result: 2-2] (in Turkish). Fanatik. 29 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  33. "Cuvântul prin care Fatih Terim a descris euro-golul marcat de Olimpiu Moruțan în Galatasaray - Goztepe" [The word with which Fatih Terim described the Euro-goal scored by Olimpiu Moruțan in Galatasaray - Göztepe] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 27 September 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  34. "Olimpiu Moruțan, erou pentru Galatasaray în meciul cu Lokomotiv Moscova! S-a răzbunat că a fost rezervă! Pasă de gol superbă reușită de fostul jucător de la FCSB" [Olimpiu Moruțan, hero for Galatasaray in the match against Lokomotiv Moscow! He took his revenge for being benched! Wonderful assist provided by the former FCSB player] (in Romanian). ProSport. 22 October 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  35. "Olimpiu Morutan è Nerazzurro!" [Moruțan is Black and Blue!]. Pisa S.C. 4 August 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  36. "Profesyonel Futbolcu Olimpiu Vasile Moruţan'ın Geçici Transferi Hakkında" [About the Temporary Transfer of Professional Footballer Olimpiu Vasile Moruțan]. Galatasaray S.K. 4 August 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  37. "Olimpiu Moruțan a marcat primul său gol în tricoul lui Pisa" [Olimpiu Moruțan scored his first goal in Pisa's shirt] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 21 August 2022. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  38. "Olimpiu Vasile Morutan Ankaragücü'müzde!" (in Turkish). MKE Ankaragücü Spor Kulübü. 20 August 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  39. "Profesyonel futbolcumuz Olimpiu Vasile Morutan'ın transferi hakkında" [About the transfer of our professional football player Olimpiu Vasile Moruțan] (in Turkish). Galatasaray S.K. 20 August 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  40. "Prima reacție a lui Adi Mutu, după eliminarea de la EURO 2021: "Băieții trebuie felicitați". Cum a explicat schimbările" [Adi Mutu's first reaction, after the elimination from EURO 2021: "The boys must be congratulated". How he explained the changes] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 30 March 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  41. "Moruțan și Petre, taxați dur după EURO 2021: "I s-a urcat la cap că e fotbalist. Pe el îl bagi în teren dacă nu vrei să dai gol"" [Moruțan and Petre, criticized after EURO 2021: "It occurred to him that he was a football player. You have to put him on the field if you don't want to score."] (in Romanian). Realitatea Sportivă. 31 March 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  42. "Evoluțiile solide de la Galatasaray au fost răsplătite! Moruțan a debutat pentru echipa națională" [The solid display for Galatasaray has been rewarded! Moruțan made his debut for the national team] (in Romanian). Sport.ro. 11 October 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  43. "Moruțan, gol "brazilian"! Cum a înscris primul gol la națională fotbalistul de la Pisa" [Moruțan, "Brazilian" goal! How the Pisa footballer scored his first goal for the national team] (in Romanian). Sport.ro. 20 November 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  44. "CFR şi FCSB se bat pe un jucător! "Va fi numărul 10 al naţionalei!"" [CFR and FCSB are fighting for a player! "He will be the national team's number 10!"] (in Romanian). Fanatik.ro. 16 October 2017. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  45. Olimpiu Moruțan at Soccerway. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  46. "Olimpiu Moruțan". European Football. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  47. "LPF a ales "echipa ideală" a sezonului din Liga 1! Care echipă a oferit cei mai mulți jucători" [LPF has chosen the "ideal team" of the Liga 1 season! Which team offers the most players] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 4 June 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
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