Ștefan Iovan


Ştefan Iovan is a former Romanian professional footballer who played as a defender, currently head of youth development at Liga II club [CSA FCSB|Steaua București (football)|CSA Steaua București].

Club career

Iovan made his debut in Divizia A at FCM Reşiţa in 1977, before joining the squad of Luceafărul București one year later. Luceafărul was then a team formed by the Romanian Football Federation to gather the young talents of Romanian football and did not play in any league. Iovan returned to Reşiţa in 1979, but in the winter of 1981 joined Steaua București where he played for ten years, until 1991.
In 1991 he joined the English club Brighton & Hove Albion, but returned to Steaua București in 1992 for half a season only before signing with Rapid București, then Electroputere Craiova in 1995. His last season as a professional football player was 1996–97 with CSM Reşiţa.
Iovan played a total of 359 games in Divizia A and scored 20 goals. He was champion of Divizia A on five occasions and also won the Romanian Cup three times, all with Steaua Bucharest.
He was the team captain of Steaua when they won the 1986 European Cup and the UEFA Super Cup.
On 25 March 2008 he was decorated by the president of Romania, Traian Băsescu with Ordinul "Meritul Sportiv" — class II for his part in winning the 1986 European Cup Final.

International career

At the international level, he played for Romania in 34 games and scored three goals. He also played 12 times for the Romanian Under 21 side.

Career statistics

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
113 November 1985İzmir Atatürk Stadyumu, İzmir, Turkey3–03–11986 World Cup qualifiers
210 September 1986Stadionul Steaua, Bucharest, Romania1–04–0Euro 1988 qualifying
310 September 1986Stadionul Steaua, Bucharest, Romania3–04–0Euro 1988 qualifying

Coaching career

After retiring from football he was assistant coach at Steaua București and Romania national team.

Honours

Steaua București
Rapid București
CSM Reșița