Alexandru Epureanu


Alexandru Epureanu is a Moldovan former professional footballer who played as a centre-back for the Moldova national team.

Club career

Born in Chișinau, Epureanu joined FC Sheriff Tiraspol in summer 2004.
He has won Moldovan Footballer of the Year in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2018. Since playing for FC Sheriff Tiraspol, he has gone on to play for Dinamo Moscow.
On 2 July 2014, Epureanu signed for İstanbul Başakşehir. He made his league debut for the club on 30 August 2014 in a 1–1 home draw with Kasımpaşa, playing all ninety minutes of the match. He scored his first league goal for the club on 5 October 2014 in a 4–0 home victory over Akhisarspor. His goal, scored in the sixth minute, made the score 1–0 to İstanbul BB.
In January 2023, Epureanu departed Başakşehir and subsequently joined Ümraniyespor until the end of the season. On 25 March 2024, he confirmed that he retired from football.

International career

Epureanu made his international debut in a 2–0 UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying loss against Norway on 6 September 2006, and has since been a regular in the national team, wearing the captain's armband on several occasions. In September 2019, Epureanu retired from the national team due to a knee injury. However, he returned in August 2020. He ranks first in terms of all-time appearances for Moldova. On 31 March 2021, he made his 100th and last appearance for Moldova in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Israel.

Career statistics

International

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
124 March 2007Zimbru Stadium, Chișinău1–11–1Euro 2008 qualifier
212 August 2009Republican Stadium, Yerevan4–14–1Friendly
33 March 2010Antalya Atatürk Stadium, Antalya1–01–0Friendly
416 October 2012Stadio Olimpico, Serravalle2–02–02014 World Cup qualifier
55 March 2014Estadi Comunal d'Andorra la Vella, Andorra la Vella1–03–0Friendly
65 March 2014Estadi Comunal d'Andorra la Vella, Andorra la Vella3–03–0Friendly
712 October 2014Otkrytie Arena, Moscow1–11–1Euro 2016 qualifier

Note: Some sources have credited Epureanu with scoring the second goal in a 4–0 victory over Saudi Arabia in 2014, however this was a penalty converted by Igor Picușceac.

Honours

Club

Zimbru Chișinău
Sheriff Tiraspol
Dynamo Moscow
İstanbul Başakşehir

Individual