Alexandru Epureanu

Alexandru Epureanu (born 27 September 1986) is a Moldovan former professional footballer who played as a centre-back.

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

Club

International

Honours Club Zimbru Chișinău Moldovan Cup: 2003–04

Sheriff Tiraspol Divizia Naţională: 2004–05, 2005–06 Moldovan Cup: 2005–06 Moldovan Supercup: 2005

Dynamo Moscow Russian Cup runner-up: 2011–12

İstanbul Başakşehir Süper Lig: 2019–20

Individual Moldovan Footballer of the Year: 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2018 Süper Lig Defender of the Season: 2018–19 Süper Lig Team of the Season: 2018–19