Gigi Ion

Gigi Ion (born 15 September 1967), also known as Ion Gigi, is a Romanian former professional football player and manager. He played as a defender or midfielder and mostly for Oțelul Galați, but he also played for other teams like Universitatea Cluj, Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț, Dacia Unirea Brăila and German side SV Sandhausen. Gigi Ion is considered a symbol of Oțelul, being introduced in 2014 by the Dunărea Bătrână publication in the top 50 legends of the club from Galați. Ion showed his attachment for Oțelul and refused an important offer from Steaua București, years later he stated: I wanted to play for Oțelul, not anywhere else. It really matters for me to feel something for the team I play, in this way I was raised. Despite his loyalty, he is considered one of the most unlucky footballers, in his career Ion suffered two double tibia and fibula fractures, first in 1987 after which he, with much sacrifice spirit, returned to the pitch, having a metal rod in his leg and the second one in 2000, injury that ended his career. After the retirement Gigi Ion worked for five years as a manager, later becoming a sports teacher.

Honours Oțelul Galați Divizia B: 1985–86, 1990–91

Universitatea Cluj Divizia B: 1991–92

Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț Divizia B: 1992–93

Sandhausen Oberliga Baden-Württemberg: 1999–2000