Vlad Chiricheș

Vlad Iulian Chiricheș (Romanian pronunciation: [ˈvlad ˈkirikeʃ]; born 14 November 1989) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays for Liga I club FCSB and captains the Romania national team. Primarily a centre-back, he can also be deployed as a right-back or a defensive midfielder.

Vlad Chiricheș
Chiricheș with Romania in 2014
Personal information
Full name Vlad Iulian Chiricheș[1]
Date of birth (1989-11-14) 14 November 1989
Place of birth Bacău, Romania
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)[2]
Position(s) Defender, defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team
 FCSB
Number 21
Youth career
0000–2004 LPS Bacău
2004–2007 Ardealul Cluj
2007–2008 Benfica
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2010 Internațional Curtea de Argeș 41 (1)
2010–2011 Pandurii Târgu Jiu 39 (0)
2012–2013 Steaua București 42 (1)
2013–2015 Tottenham Hotspur 27 (1)
2015–2020 Napoli 32 (3)
2019–2020 → Sassuolo (loan) 9 (0)
2020–2022 Sassuolo 53 (2)
2022–2023 Cremonese 16 (0)
2023– FCSB 4 (0)
International career‡
2009–2010 Romania U21 4 (0)
2011– Romania 75[lower-alpha 1] (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 28 August 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 14 June 2022

Chiricheș spent the first part of his senior career in Romania with Internațional Curtea de Argeș, Pandurii Târgu Jiu and Steaua București. He helped the latter to a Liga I title and a Supercupa României, before transferring to Tottenham Hotspur in 2013 in a then-Romania record sale of €9.5 million. He relocated to Italy after two years in the Premier League, representing Serie A clubs Napoli, Sassuolo and Cremonese over the course of eight seasons. In 2023, he returned to Romania by re-signing for FCSB.

A full international for Romania since September 2011, Chiricheș has earned over 70 caps for his country and represented it in the UEFA Euro 2016.

Club career

Early career

Chiricheș began his youth career in his hometown as a midfielder at LPS Bacău, and even played as a striker a few years later when he moved to Ardealul Cluj. At the latter side, he was teammates with also future Romanian internationals Mihai Răduț and Alexandru Maxim.[3] In 2007, Chiricheș moved to Portuguese team Benfica.[4][5][6]

Upon his return to Romania after twelve months spent in Lisbon, Chiricheș joined lower league club Internațional Curtea de Argeș and helped them achieve promotion to the top flight in 2009.[7] In 2010, shortly after Internațional was dissolved, he moved alongside many of his teammates to Pandurii Târgu Jiu.[8] Chiricheș was close to sign for FCSB instead, but their coach Victor Pițurcă did not agree with the transfer.[9]

Steaua București

After one season in Târgu Jiu, Chiricheș eventually sealed a transfer to Steaua București for a reported sum of €700,000 and 25% interest to Pandurii in case of a future move.[10] FCSB paid €500,000 for the remaining procents of the co-ownership in August 2013, making the total transfer sum to €1.2 million.[11]

On 25 October 2012, he scored an overhead volley from near the penalty spot in a 2–0 win against Molde in the Europa League, which put Steaua in control of Group E.[12] Chiricheș scored from long range against Ajax on 21 February 2013, canceling out a two-goal first-leg deficit as Steaua triumphed in the penalty shoot-out to set up a round of 16 meeting with 2012 Champions League winners Chelsea.[13][14] He scored again away, an equalising goal to make it 1–1 with a fine close-range finish on the stroke of half-time in the 3–1 second leg loss against "the Blues" at Stamford Bridge after FCSB won the first leg 1–0.[15]

Tottenham Hotspur

On 30 August 2013, Tottenham Hotspur paid €9.5 million for the signing of Chiricheș from Steaua București, which at the moment made him the biggest sale of the Romanian championship.[16][17] He recorded his competitive debut in a 4–0 League Cup victory over Aston Villa, on 24 September.[18] His Premier League debut was also an away game against Villa, a 2–0 win on 20 October in which the fans voted him Man of the Match.[19] On 4 December, Chiricheș scored his first goal for the team, an equaliser from outside the penalty box in a 2–1 victory over Fulham.[20]

Towards the end of the 2015 winter transfer window, Italian side Roma offered €500,000 to take Chiricheș on a six-month loan, which was deemed too low by Tottenham and subsequently rejected.[21] On 9 May 2015, he was sent off for two bookings as his team lost 3–0 to Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.[22]

Napoli
Chiricheș (left) playing against Red Bull Salzburg in the Europa League round of 16, 14 March 2019.

On 30 July 2015, Serie A team Napoli signed Chiricheș on a four-year deal for a £4.5 million fee.[23] He made his league debut for the club in a 1–2 home loss to Sassuolo.

On 10 September 2018, it was announced that Chiricheș suffered damage to his anterior cruciate ligament which would sideline him for most of the season.[24]

Sassuolo

On 2 September 2019, Chiricheș joined fellow-Serie A club Sassuolo on loan with an obligation to buy at the end of the season.[25][26] Chiricheș eventually left Napoli in the summer of 2020 for a fee of €11 million.[27]

Cremonese

On 8 July 2022, Cremonese announced the signing of Chiricheș.[28]

Return to FCSB

Ten years after his record sale to Tottenham Hotspur, FCSB announced the return of Chiricheș on 25 July 2023.[29]

International career

Chiriches made his debut for the senior team in an UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying match against Luxembourg on 2 September 2011.[30] On 14 August 2013, Chiricheș became the captain of Romania, in the friendly draw 1–1 over Slovakia. His competitive debut as captain was on 6 September, a 3–0 victory against Hungary, in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying game.

He played his fiftieth match for the national team on 5 October 2017, against Kazakhstan, in a 3–1 home win, match in which he captained Romania.

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 28 August 2023[31]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Internațional Curtea de Argeș 2008–09 Liga II 26110———271
2009–10 Liga I 15010———160
Total 41120———431
Pandurii Târgu Jiu 2010–11 Liga I 24000———240
2011–12 15020———170
Total 39020———410
Steaua București 2011–12 Liga I 140——20—160
2012–13 26100—133—394
2013–14 20——301060
Total 42100—18310614
Tottenham Hotspur 2013–14 Premier League 171103030—241
2014–15 100311050—191
Total 271414080—432
Napoli 2015–16 Serie A 8120—71—172
2016–17 14210—10—162
2017–18 7010—10—90
2018–19 3000—30—60
Total 32340—121—484
Sassuolo (loan) 2019–20 Serie A 9000———90
Sassuolo 2020–21 Serie A 24200———242
2021–22 29000———290
Total 62200———622
Cremonese 2022–23 Serie A 16010———170
FCSB 2023–24 Liga I 4000—30—70
Career total 2638131404141032213

International
Chiricheș in action against Austria in June 2012.
As of match played 14 June 2022[32]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Romania 201150
201290
201380
201470
201570
201680
201790
201810
201930
202020
2021100
202260
Total750

Honours

Steaua București[31]

Tottenham Hotspur[31]

Individual

Notes
  1. Chiricheș previously earned a cap for Romania in a match against Belgium, which was later deemed unofficial.

References
  1. "15th UEFA European Championship: Booking List before Qualifying Round Matchday 10" (PDF). UEFA. 11 October 2015. p. 6. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  2. "Prima Squadra - SSC Napoli". www.sscnapoli.it. Archived from the original on 23 March 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
  3. "Chiricheş, Maxim, Răduţ. Ce mai scoate Şcoala Ardealul" (in Romanian). ProSport. 1 October 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  4. "Sky Sports Scout – Vlad Chiriches". Sky Sports. 15 November 2012. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
  5. "Un fost jucător de la Benfica a dezvăluit de ce n-a fost păstrat Vlad Chiricheş" (in Romanian). ProSport. 30 October 2013. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  6. "I-a dus pe Chiricheş la Benfica şi pe Răduţ la Sporting! Omul care l-a descoperit pe Grozav pe când era minor aduce un nou nume în prim plan: "E foarte talentat"" (in Romanian). ProSport. 31 May 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  7. "Nou promovata lui Ştefan Stoica a pornit la drum în Liga 1: FC Internaţional a început pregătirile". Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 22 June 2009.
  8. "Ionuţ Badea a ales 15 jucători de la Inter pentru lotul Pandurilor". Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 21 July 2010.
  9. "Povestea celui mai scump transfer din liga 1". Gazeta Sporturilor. 25 August 2013. Retrieved 25 August 2013.
  10. "Chiricheş a semnat cu Steaua, dar vine la iarnă". Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 3 August 2011.
  11. "Steaua pays 1.2 million euros for Chiriches". Gazeta Sporturilor. 6 August 2013. Retrieved 25 August 2013.
  12. "Chiricheş stunner helps Steaua sink Molde". UEFA. 25 October 2012.
  13. "Latovlevici shines as Steaua beat Ajax on penalties". UEFA. 21 February 2013.
  14. "Blues edge through, Ajax outed on penalties". FIFA. 21 February 2013. Archived from the original on 2 October 2013.
  15. "Torres on target as Chelsea sneak past Steaua". UEFA. 14 March 2013.
  16. "Tottenham agree price for Chiriches". FIFA. 25 August 2013. Archived from the original on 25 August 2013.
  17. "Spurs announce Vlad Chiriches signing". ESPN FC. 30 August 2013.
  18. "Chiriches transfer agreed". Tottenham Hotspur FC. 30 August 2013. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  19. "Chiriches voted Man of the Match". @SpursOfficial. Twitter. 20 October 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
  20. Cryer, Andy. "Fulham 1–2 Tottenham Hotspur". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
  21. "Tottenham Reject Roma Loan Offer for Chirches (and Hands Him Bonus)". tribalfootball.com. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  22. Johnston, Neil (9 May 2015). "Stoke 3-0 Tottenham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  23. "Tottenham Hotspur Official Announcement Regarding Vlad Chiriches". Spurs Official Twitter. 30 July 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
  24. "Report: Napoli defender Vlad Chiriches suffered ACL damage". Calcio Mercato. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  25. "OFICIAL Vlad Chiricheș a plecat de la Napoli » Sassuolo l-a prezentat astăzi pe fundașul român". 2 September 2019.
  26. "UFFICIALE: Sassuolo, preso Chiriches. Prestito con obbligo di riscatto". Retrieved 2 September 2019.
  27. "Il Parma batte il Napoli e...riscatta tre azzurri: nelle casse del club" (in Romanian). 23 July 2020.
  28. "CHIRICHES NUOVO CALCIATORE DELLA CREMONESE". uscremonese.it (in Italian). US Cremonese. 8 July 2022. Archived from the original on 9 July 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  29. "Bine ai venit acasă, Vlad Chiricheș!" [Welcome home, Vlad Chiricheș!] (in Romanian). FCSB. 25 July 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  30. "Torje double keeps Romania in touch". UEFA. 2 September 2011.
  31. Vlad Chiricheș at Soccerway. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  32. "Vlad Chiricheș". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
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