Emmanuel Culio
Juan Emmanuel Culio is an Argentine former professional footballer.
He is one of the most successful foreign players who had ever played in Liga I in Romania. In this regard, he had won 6 championships, all with CFR Cluj.
Career
Early career
Born in Mercedes, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Culio began his football career at Flandria after being scouted in the street when he was nineteen. He previously went on trial at Argentinos Juniors despite living 100 km from the capital but failed to earn a contract after his grandmother, who gave him money to travel at Argentinos Juniors, suffered an illness and gave up football as a result. Throughout his time at Flandria, he quickly worked his through to the first team, establishing himself in the starting eleven for the side. He also scored once for the side during his time there.In 2004, Culio moved to Almagro, where he received a handful of first team appearances, making eight appearances.
Independiente / Racing Club
On 13 July 2005, he joined Independiente. Culio made his Club Atlético Independiente debut on 7 August 2005, in a 4–2 win over Lanús. However, he only made one appearances for the side, as his time at the club was overshadowed by injuries. It was announced that he was expected to leave the club following the 2005–06 season.On 25 July 2006, Culio then joined Racing Club ahead of the 2006–07 season. However, he spent the first four months on the substitute bench. It wasn't until on 8 November 2006 when Culio made his Racing Club debut, in a 3–2 loss against Banfield. His time at Racing Club was overshadowed when he was involved in an alteration with Cristian Pino, which was eventually solved. Despite this, he went on to make three appearances for Racing Club.
La Serena
In January 2007, it was announced that Culio joined La Serena in the Liga Chilena de Fútbol.Culio made his La Serena debut on 26 January 2007, where he started the whole game, in a 1–0 loss against Unión Española. He quickly became a first team regular for the side, making a number of good performances. It wasn't until on 10 March 2007 when he scored his first goal, in a 1–1 draw against Everton. His second goal then came on 29 April 2007, in a 2–1 win over Santiago Wanderers. At the end of the 2006–07 season, Culio went on to make nineteen appearances and scoring three times for the side.
CFR Cluj
On 23 June 2007, it was announced that Culio was transferred to the Romanian club CFR Cluj from La Serena, shortly after compatriot Cristian Fabbiani joined the squad. Four days later, on 27 June 2007, he was presented as the club's new player. Then CFR Club president Iuliu Mureșan reflected how the club signed him, saying: "Culio is an extraordinary player. He is a perfect worker.In 2007 we were looking for a striker and we were recommended Canales, who plays in Chile. We didn't like him and we saw Culio, who was an "ant" in the middle.He was declared the man of the match then. I told the impresario that I liked Culio's number 19. He told us he knew, he was sure we'd want Culio. It cost some money at the time. We were very happy. He is the most family-friendly man I have ever met"Culio made his CFR Cluj debut under coach Ioan Andone on 1 August 2007, in the opening game of the season, starting the match before coming off as a substitute in the 72nd minute, in a 1–0 win over Oțelul Galați. Since joining the club, he quickly established himself in the first team, playing in the midfield position and was regularly capped player due to his activity on the field and physical endurance. It wasn't until on 7 November 2007 when he scored his first goal for the club but was sent–off for a second bookable offence, in a 2–0 win over FC Vaslui. His performance soon earned him praised from Manager Cristiano Bergodi, as well as, earning Romanian's Player of the Month. Culio later helped CFR Cluj win both the league and Cupa României. At the end of the 2007–08 season, making thirty–seven appearances and scoring once in all competitions, Culio earned recognition by his home country.
In the 2008–09 season, Culio started the season well when he scored his first two goals in the UEFA Champions League, on 16 September 2008 against AS Roma. His team won 2–1 and Culio was designated the Man of the Match. This helped CFR Cluj obtain some important points in its first ever Champions League appearance. His performance for the side this season saw him being a subjected of a transfer bid from Russian clubs, such as, FC Moscow and Rubin Kazan. Despite the transfer bid, he stayed at the club throughout January and his performance continued to impress, earning a praise by his then teammate, Eugen Trică and Gheorghe Hagi. Between 4 April 2009 and 18 April 2009, Culio assisted five times in four appearances, including twice against FC Vaslui. This was followed up by scoring his first league goal of the season, in a 1–1 draw against Steaua București on 22 April 2009. Once again, Culio helped the side win the Cupa României Cup for the second time in a row, in which he scored in the final, in a 3–0 win over Politehnica Timișoara. Despite missing out four matches out of the forty–two matches the club has played in the 2008–09 season, he went on to make thirty–eight appearances and scoring four times in all competitions.
Ahead of the 2009–10 season, Culio continued to be linked a move away from the club, as interests from European clubs increased, including Porto, which saw Álvaro Pereira joined the side. Eventually, he stayed at the club throughout the summer transfer window. In the Supercupa României against Unirea Urziceni, which the game was played for 120 minutes following a 1–1 draw, Culio started the season well when he helped the side win 3–2 in the penalty–shootout despite missing a penalty. After missing two matches, he returned to the first team and played in both legs against FK Sarajevo in the UEFA Europa League Play–Offs, which they won 3–1 on aggregate. Following his return, Culio regained his first team place for the side. He then scored his first goal of the season on 16 September 2009, in a 2–0 win over Copenhagen in the UEFA Europa League Group Stage. Following a 3–2 loss against Sparta Prague in the UEFA Europa League Group Stage on 5 November 2009, Culio was involved in alteration with the club's supporters, which he apologized after the match. It wasn't until on 13 March 2010 when he scored his first league goal of the season, in a 2–2 draw against Dinamo București. Later in the 2009–10 season, Culio helped the side win both the league and the Cupa României after beating FC Vaslui 5–4 in penalty–shootout in the final. Despite being out on two occasions during the 2009–10 season, Culio went on to make forty–two appearances and scoring two times in all competitions.
Ahead of the 2010–11 season, Culio, once again, expressed his desire to leave the club. Despite the move never happened, he, nevertheless, helped the side beat Unirea Urziceni in the Supercupa României, after the match went on penalties following a 2 –2 draw throughout extra time. He started the season as a first team regular for the side. On 2 August 2010, Culio scored his first goal of the season, in a 2–0 win over Victoria Brănești. In a 2–1 win over FC Basel in the UEFA Champions League Group Stage Matchday 1, he set up two goals, in which he was praised for his performance. Culio then assisted three times in three matches between 24 September 2010 and 3 October 2010. Then, on 19 October 2010, he scored his second league goal of the season, in a 3–2 loss against Bayern Munich. A month later, on 28 November 2010, he scored again, in a 2–2 draw against Steaua București. By the end of December 2010, Culio was subjected of a transfer bid by Kuban Krasnodar, which was rejected by the CFR Cluj. By the time of his departure, he made twenty–five appearances and scoring three times in all competitions. He also finished the top assists for the Champions League Group.
The Cluj fans loved him dearly and also gave him the nickname 'Draculio'. He was one of the most popular football players among CFR's fans.
Galatasaray
On 6 January 2011, Culio signed with Turkish club Galatasaray for reported €2 million where he was wanted by Romanian coach Gheorghe Hagi.Culio made his Galatasaray debut on 23 January 2011, starting the whole game, in a 1–0 win over Sivasspor. It wasn't until on 19 February 2011 when he scored his first goal for the club, in a 1–0 win over Bucaspor. Since joining the club, Culio quickly adapted at the club, stating that he settled in and got on well with his teammates, supporters and the manager. His second goal then came on 18 April 2011, in a 3–2 win over Manisaspor. Despite missing two matches towards the end of the 2010–11 season, he went on to make nineteen appearances and scoring four times for Galatasaray.
Shortly after the end of the 2010–11 season, new manager Fatih Terim made Culio available for transfer and was expected to leave the club in the summer. Two years after joining the club, it was announced on 7 August 2011 that both parties reached an agreement, allowing Culio to mutually leave Galatasaray by having his contract with Galatasaray terminated. As part of the termination, the settlement was reached, with Culio receiving 500 thousand euros.
Loan to Orduspor
On 5 August 2011, Culio left Galatasaray on loan to Orduspor for €350,000. Upon joining the club, he said of the move: Orduspor fans can not wait to stand out, Orduspor is a great community when I came here better understood. I believe that Orduspor in the Super League will bring sound. I'm waiting for our fans to support us. The last drop of the term for the success of Orduspor'u play.Culio made his Orduspor debut in the opening game of the season against Fenerbahçe. Since joining the club, he quickly established himself in the starting eleven for the side and was one of the club's key players, alongside Jean-Jacques Gosso. Culio then scored his first goal for the club, as well as, setting up a goal, in a 2–1 win over Eskişehirspor on 15 October 2011. He added two more goals by the end of December. Culio then captained his first match on 25 January 2012 against Kardemir Karabükspor and during the match, he scored, in a 3–2 win. He went on to captain the side three more times. During the 1–1 draw against Beşiktaş on 11 March 2012, he was involved in altercation with teammate Jean-Jacques Gosso; eventually, the situation was resolved and the pair made up.
It was announced on 26 March 2012 when the club decided against taking up options to sign Culio again and expected to return to Galatasaray for the next season. It came after when he criticised the club, leading the club to terminate his loan spell there. Following this, he never played for the side for the rest of the season. Culio went on to make thirty–one appearances and scoring once for Orduspor in all competitions.
On 4 July 2012, it was announced that Culio had returned from Orduspor and back to Galatasaray and training with his original club in the Florya Metin Oktay Sports Complex and Training Center. Fatih Terim had announced last season that if he knew that Arda Turan was going to leave that he wouldn't have sent Culio to Orduspor.