Profile

One of eleven home-based players in Romania's UEFA EURO 2008 squad, Adrian Cristea gained a reputation as an entertaining crowd-pleaser in Liga 1 during the 2007/08 season. A talented left-sided midfielder who attacks with pace and purpose, he made a couple of substitute appearances against Luxembourg in the qualifying campaign.

Scored 13 goals in 65 matches for FC Politehnica Iaşi in Romanian second division, winning promotion for hometown club in 2004.

Joined FC Dinamo 1948 Bucureşti midway through 2004/05 season; mostly a substitute until breakthrough in 2006/07 when he started 26 matches in Dinamo's title-winning campaign, scoring three goals.

Also notched three goals in 2006/07 UEFA Cup as Dinamo reached Round of 32; made national team debut on 7 February 2007 as a half-time substitute in Bucharest friendly v Moldova.

Scored eight goals – all before Christmas – in 2007/08 Liga 1 campaign.

Did you know?

Cristea might have made his debut for Romania against UEFA EURO 2008 Group C rivals Italy rather than Moldova. The original fixture on that date against the Azzurri was cancelled because of the death of a Sicilian policeman at a Serie A game.