French
DeutschLouis Munteanu
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Louis Munteanu | ||
| Date of birth | 16 June 2002 | ||
| Place of birth | Vaslui, Romania | ||
| Height | 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | CFR Cluj | ||
| Number | 98 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2007–2015 | LPS Vaslui | ||
| 2015–2019 | Gheorghe Hagi Academy | ||
| 2020–2022 | Fiorentina | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2019–2020 | Viitorul Constanța | 21 | (3) |
| 2020– | Fiorentina | 0 | (0) |
| 2022–2023 | → Farul Constanța (loan) | 29 | (10) |
| 2023–2024 | → Farul Constanța (loan) | 34 | (12) |
| 2024– | CFR Cluj | 1 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2018 | Romania U16 | 4 | (1) |
| 2017–2019 | Romania U17 | 14 | (4) |
| 2019–2020 | Romania U18 | 4 | (3) |
| 2019–2021 | Romania U19 | 3 | (0) |
| 2022 | Romania U20 | 2 | (0) |
| 2021– | Romania U21 | 11 | (1) |
| 2023– | Romania | 1 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 4 August 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 26 March 2024 | |||
Louis Munteanu (Romanian pronunciation: [ˈluis munˈte̯anu]; born 16 June 2002) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Liga I club CFR Cluj.
Munteanu made his senior debut for Viitorul Constanța in 2019, aged 17, and the next year was transferred to Italian side Fiorentina. In 2022, he returned to his boyhood club, which had merged with Farul Constanța, and contributed to winning the national title during his first loan spell back. Two years later, Munteanu signed with CFR Cluj, also in the Liga I.
Internationally, Munteanu represented Romania under-21 in the 2023 UEFA European Championship. In October that year, he registered his full debut in a goalless draw with Belarus in the Euro 2024 qualifiers.
Club career
[edit]Viitorul Constanța
[edit]Munteanu made his professional debut for Viitorul Constanța on 27 October 2019, in a 2–3 away Liga I loss to Dinamo București. Five days later, he scored his first goal in a 3–0 home success over Chindia Târgoviște.[1] Munteanu amassed three goals from 19 appearances during his first season as a senior, all in the league championship.
Fiorentina
[edit]On 26 September 2020, Munteanu was transferred to Italian club Fiorentina for a rumoured fee of €2 million.[2] During his initial two years with the Primavera side, he appeared in 40 matches and scored 13 goals.[1]
First loan to Farul Constanța
[edit]On 15 August 2022, Munteanu rejoined the Romanian league by signing for Farul Constanța on loan until the end of the season.[3] Before moving to Farul, he was close to being loaned to Rapid București; however, the deal fell through because Fiorentina declined to include a permanent transfer clause.[4] On the 28th that month, he scored his first two goals in a 3–1 away victory over defending champions CFR Cluj.[5]
On 6 May 2023, Munteanu netted his second double of the campaign in a 7–2 home thrashing of Rapid București.[6] Fifteen days later, he scored the winner in a 3–2 home success over league contenders FCSB, securing the national title for Farul with one match remaining.[7] On 28 May, Munteanu ended his spell with ten goals in 29 matches by scoring twice in a 2–1 away victory at CFR Cluj, also missing a penalty.[8]
Second loan to Farul Constanța
[edit]On 18 August 2023, Munteanu was sent on another year-long loan to Farul.[9] He made his debut in European competitions six days later, coming on for Adrian Mazilu in a 2–1 home win over HJK in the UEFA Europa Conference League play-off round.[10] On 27 August, he scored both goals in a 2–0 home win against Universitatea Craiova.[11]
Munteanu surpassed his previous season's statistics by netting 12 goals in 34 Liga I appearances, and was voted Farul Player of the Year by the fans.
CFR Cluj
[edit]On 31 July 2024, amid interest from fellow league clubs FCSB and Rapid București, CFR Cluj officially announced the transfer of Munteanu on a four-year contract.[12][13] CFR Cluj owner Neluțu Varga admitted that the transfer fee was "around €2 million", contrasting some reports that indicated it might be as high as €2.8 million,[14] and also stated that Fiorentina retained 50% participation rights in a co-ownership deal.[15]
Munteanu registered his debut on 4 August 2024, starting in a 2–3 home Liga I loss to rivals Universitatea Cluj.[16]
International career
[edit]On 15 June 2023, Munteanu was selected in the Romania under-21 squad for the 2023 UEFA European Championship.[17] He started in all three group games, as his side failed to score any goals and finished in last place.
On 12 October that year, Munteanu made his senior debut for Romania in a goalless draw against Belarus counting for the Euro 2024 qualifiers.
Personal life
[edit]On 16 October 2020, Munteanu tested positive for COVID-19.[18]
Career statistics
[edit]Club
[edit]- As of match played 4 August 2024[19]
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Viitorul Constanța | 2019–20 | Liga I | 19 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 19 | 3 | |
| 2020–21 | Liga I | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | |||
| Total | 21 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 21 | 3 | |||
| Fiorentina | 2020–21 | Serie A | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2021–22 | Serie A | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | |||
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Farul Constanța (loan) | 2022–23 | Liga I | 29 | 10 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 29 | 10 | ||
| Farul Constanța (loan) | 2023–24 | Liga I | 34 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 2[a] | 0 | — | 36 | 12 | |
| CFR Cluj | 2024–25 | Liga I | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | |
| Career total | 85 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 87 | 25 | |||
- ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League
International
[edit]- As of match played 12 October 2023[20]
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Romania | |||
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 1 | 0 | |
Honours
[edit]Farul Constanța[19]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Interviu cu Louis Munteanu (Farul Constanța)" [Interview with Louis Munteanu (Farul Constanța)] (in Romanian). Liga Profesionistă de Fotbal. 26 August 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
- ^ "OFICIAL Louis Munteanu, prezentat de Fiorentina! Nu va juca la prima echipă" [OFFICIAL Louis Munteanu, unveiled by Fiorentina! He won't play for the first team]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 26 September 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
- ^ "Bine ai venit, Louis Munteanu!" [Welcome, Louis Munteanu!] (in Romanian). FCV Farul Constanța. 15 August 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
- ^ "EXCLUSIV De ce a picat transferul lui Louis Munteanu la Rapid" [EXCLUSIVE Why the transfer of Louis Munteanu to Rapid fell through] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
- ^ "CFR Cluj, învinsă acasă de Farul! Louis Munteanu, cu o dublă, îi trimite pe constănțeni pe primul loc" [CFR Cluj, defeated at home by Farul! Louis Munteanu, with a double, sends the Constanța people to the first place] (in Romanian). Eurosport Romania. 28 August 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
- ^ "Farul – Rapid 7-2. Scor incredibil! Gică Hagi a dat de pământ cu Adi Mutu. Denis Alibec a reușit un hat-trick de senzație" [Farul – Rapid 7–2. Incredible score! Gică Hagi hit the ground running against Adi Mutu. Denis Alibec achieved a sensational hat-trick] (in Romanian). Antena Sport. 6 May 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
- ^ ""Cel mai important gol din viaţa mea". Jucătorul care l-a făcut pe Hagi campion, fără cuvinte: "Sunt fericit"" ["The most important goal in my life". The player who made Hagi a champion, speechless: "I'm happy"] (in Romanian). Orange Sport. 22 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
- ^ "Louis Munteanu are un mesaj pentru contestatari după "dubla" din CFR Cluj - Farul 1-2" [Louis Munteanu has a message for the ones who criticise him after the "double" in CFR Cluj - Farul 1—2] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 28 May 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
- ^ "OFICIAL Louis Munteanu a revenit la Farul" [Louis Munteanu returns to Farul] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 18 August 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
- ^ "Farul Constanța - HJK 2–1". UEFA.com. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ "A știut Gheorghe Hagi de ce îl readuce la Farul! Louis Munteanu a reușit dubla în meciul cu Universitatea Craiova, primul de la revenirea în Superliga" [Gheorghe Hagi knew why he was bringing him back to Farul! Louis Munteanu scored a double in the match against Universitatea Craiova, his first since returning to the Superliga] (in Romanian). ProSport. 27 August 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
- ^ "Transferul verii în fotbalul românesc! Louis Munteanu a bătut palma cu CFR Cluj » Cifrele mutării sunt amețitoare: "E rezolvat"" [The transfer of the summer in Romanian football! Louis Munteanu shook hands with CFR Cluj » The figures of the move are dizzying: "It's sealed"]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 30 July 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ "Bine ai venit, Louis Munteanu!" [Welcome, Luis Munteanu!] (in Romanian). CFR Cluj. 31 July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
- ^ "Record: 5.450.000 pentru Louis Munteanu! Patronul CFR-ului a făcut cel mai scump transfer intern din istoria fotbalului românesc" [Record: 5,450,000 for Louis Munteanu! The owner of CFR Cluj made the most expensive domestic transfer in the history of Romanian football] (in Romanian). Fanatik.ro. 31 July 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
Fiorentina agreed to sell Louis Munteanu, 22 years old, for a substantial transfer fee of €2.8 million.
- ^ "EXCLUSIV S-a făcut transferul lui Louis Munteanu în Superliga: "Îl vom deține în coproprietate cu Fiorentina". Pe câți ani a semnat" [EXCLUSIVE The transfer of Louis Munteanu to the Superliga is sealed: "We will own him in co-ownership with Fiorentina". How many years did he sign for?] (in Romanian). iAM SPORT. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ "Louis Munteanu a jucat 70 de minute în derby-ul CFR Cluj – U Cluj. Cum s-a descurcat la debut cel mai scump transfer intern din istoria fotbalului românesc" [Louis Munteanu played 70 minutes in the CFR Cluj - U Cluj derby. How did the most expensive domestic transfer in the history of Romanian football do on debut] (in Romanian). Fanatik.ro. 4 August 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
- ^ "U21 la EURO 2023 | VIDEO: Ei sunt ROMÂNIA U21 pentru Campionatul European!" [U21 at EURO 2023 | VIDEO: They are ROMANIA U21 for the European Championship!] (in Romanian). Romanian Football Federation. 15 June 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
- ^ "REPORT MEDICO MUNTEANU" [MUNTEANU MEDICAL REPORT] (Press release) (in Italian). A.C.F. Fiorentina. 16 October 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
- ^ a b Louis Munteanu at Soccerway. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
- ^ "Louis Munteanu". European Football. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
External links
[edit]- Louis Munteanu at RomanianSoccer.ro (in Romanian)
- Louis Munteanu – Romanian league stats at LPF (in Romanian)