Radu Drăgușin
Personal information
Full name Radu Matei Drăgușin
Date of birth (2002-02-03) 3 February 2002
Place of birth Bucharest, Romania
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Tottenham Hotspur
Number 6
Youth career
2009–2013 Sportul Studențesc
2013–2018 Regal Sport București
2018–2020 Juventus
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020–2021 Juventus U23 10 (1)
2020–2023 Juventus 1 (0)
2021–2022 → Sampdoria (loan) 13 (0)
2022 → Salernitana (loan) 7 (0)
2022–2023 → Genoa (loan) 38 (4)
2023–2024 Genoa 19 (2)
2024– Tottenham Hotspur 1 (0)
International career‡
2018–2019 Romania U17
2019 Romania U19 3 (0)
2020– Romania U21 9 (0)
2022– Romania 13 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:33, 30 December 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21 November 2023

Radu Matei Drăgușin (Romanian pronunciation: [ˈradu maˈtej drəguˈʃin]; born 3 February 2002) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur and the Romania national team. Mainly a centre-back, he can also be deployed as a right-back.

Drăgușin started out his senior career with the reserves of Italian club Juventus in 2020, and later that year registered his debut for the first team, aged 18. Following loans to Sampdoria, Salernitana, and Genoa, respectively, he signed a permanent contract with the latter in 2023. The next January, he joined English side Tottenham Hotspur in a transfer worth an initial €25 million (£21.5 million), making him the most expensive Romanian footballer of all time.

Internationally, Drăgușin appeared for Romania under-21 in one match at the 2021 UEFA European Championship. The following year, he made his full debut in a 0–1 friendly loss to Greece.

Early life

Drăgușin was born in Bucharest to Svetlana (née Simion) and Dan Drăgușin, former Romanian internationals in basketball and volleyball, respectively. He has a younger sister named Meira, who also plays basketball.[1]

Club career

Early career

Drăgușin was persuaded to play football by his cousin, and joined the youth squads of Sportul Studențesc at the age of seven.[1] He played at the club for four years before its dissolution, and then moved to Regal Sport București where he was teammates with Octavian Popescu and Luca Florică among others.[2]

Juventus

In 2018, with interest from Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Atlético Madrid,[3] Drăgușin transferred to Italian club Juventus for a fee of €260,000.[1] Initially assigned as an under-17 player, he quickly moved to the under-19 team.[4] On 25 January 2020, midway through the 2019–20 Serie C season, Drăgușin made his debut for Juventus U23 against Pro Patria by coming on as a 36th-minute substitute for Raffaele Alcibiade.[5]

On 8 November, he was called up to the senior squad by Andrea Pirlo for a Serie A fixture against Lazio.[4] He made his club and European debut on 2 December, appearing as a substitute in a 3–0 home victory over Dynamo Kyiv in the UEFA Champions League group stage.[4] Drăgușin's league debut was made 11 days later, being brought on in the 90th minute for Matthijs de Ligt in a 3–1 away win over Genoa.[6]

On 13 January 2021, Drăgușin started his first match in the Coppa Italia,[7] as his side defeated Genoa 3–2 after extra time.[8] His first career goal came for the under-23s on 13 February 2021, in a 3–0 away defeat of AlbinoLeffe.[9] In April, Drăgușin's performances earned him a four-year contract extension at Juventus.[10]

Loans to Sampdoria and Salernitana

On 31 August 2021, Drăgușin was sent out on loan to fellow Serie A club Sampdoria for one season.[11] He recorded his debut on 22 October, in a 2–1 league win over Spezia in which he replaced injured Valerio Verre in the 19th minute. Five days later, he played the full 90 minutes in a 1–3 loss to Atalanta.[12]

On 31 January 2022, after his loan at Sampdoria was prematurely interrupted, Drăgușin moved to Salernitana on loan for the remainder of the season.[13] He made his debut for them on 7 February, starting in a 2–2 draw to Spezia.[14]

Genoa

On 14 July 2022, Drăgușin was loaned out to Serie B side Genoa with an option to buy.[15] On 25 January 2023, his agent announced that the permanent transfer clause had been triggered after he met several objectives, with the fee being around €5.5 million plus €1.8 million in conditional bonuses.[16] He amassed 40 appearances and four goals in all competitions during the 2022–23 season, as Genoa finished second in the league and earned direct promotion to the Serie A.

Drăgușin scored his first goal in the latter competition on 10 November 2023, in a 1–0 home win over Hellas Verona.[17] On 21 December, he was unveiled as the winner of the 2023 Romanian Footballer of the Year award by the Gazeta Sporturilor newspaper.[18] Eight days later, he equalised by netting a header in a 1–1 home draw against Inter Milan.[19]

Tottenham Hotspur

On 11 January 2024, amid reports of transfer offers from Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich, Drăgușin joined the former club by signing a contract until June 2030.[20] The guaranteed €25 million (£21.5 million) transfer fee turned him into the most expensive Romanian footballer, surpassing the €22.5m (£15.8m) record fee for Adrian Mutu's transfer from Verona to Chelsea in 2003.[21] Genoa could also receive another €5 million (£4.3 million) in add-ons.[22]

Drăgușin made his Premier League debut on 14 January, coming on as an 85th-minute substitute for Oliver Skipp in a 2–2 draw at Manchester United.[23]

International career

Youth

Drăgușin was selected by manager Adrian Mutu for the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship,[24] having previously made two appearances for Romania in the qualifiers. He only featured once in the final tournament, as he replaced injured Alex Pașcanu in the 63rd minute of a goalless draw with Germany.[25]

Senior

Drăgușin was called up to the Romania senior team for the first time in March 2022,[26] and on the 25th that month made his debut by coming on in the 88th minute of a 1–0 friendly loss to Greece.[27] The following year, he started in all ten matches of the Euro 2024 qualifiers, aiding his nation in winning Group I undefeated.[28]

Style of play

A tall and physical centre-back, Drăgușin has cited Virgil van Dijk as a point of reference, with whom he has since been compared to for his confidence in possession and positional sense.[3][4] Drăgușin has also played as a right-back on occasion.[12]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 14 January 2024[5]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Juventus U23 2019–20 Serie C 20———3[lower-alpha 1]050
2020–21 Serie C 81———2[lower-alpha 2]0101
Total 101———50151
Juventus 2020–21 Serie A 1020—1[lower-alpha 3]00040
Sampdoria (loan) 2021–22 Serie A 13020———150
Salernitana (loan) 2021–22 Serie A 70————70
Genoa (loan) 2022–23 Serie B 38420———404
Genoa 2023–24 Serie A 19230———222
Total 57650———626
Tottenham Hotspur 2023–24 Premier League 1000———10
Career total 89790—10501047
  1. ↑ One appearance in Serie C promotion play-offs, two appearances in Coppa Italia Serie C
  2. ↑ Appearance in Serie C promotion play-offs
  3. ↑ Appearance in UEFA Champions League

International

As of match played 21 November 2023[29]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Romania 202230
2023100
Total130

Honours

Juventus U23[5]

Juventus[5]

Individual

References

  1. 1 2 3 "La 18 ani, Radu Matei Drăgușin și-a făcut debutul la Juventus Torino" [At 18-years-old, Radu Matei Drăgușin made his debut for Juventus Turin]. Click! (in Romanian). 3 December 2020.
  2. ↑ Primejdie, Deian (2 May 2018). "Interviu Radu Drăgușin" [Radu Drăgușin interview] (in Romanian). Școala TV. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  3. 1 2 "Radu Dragusin: 'Romanian Van Dijk' who rejected Chelsea for Juventus". Goal. 2 March 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Chi è Dragusin, il 2002 che ha esordito in Champions con la Juve" [Who is Drăgușin, the 2002-born who made his Champions League debut with Juve] (in Italian). Sky Sport. 3 December 2020. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Radu Drăgușin at Soccerway. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  6. ↑ "Genoa - Juventus, 1-3, Serie A 2020 giornata 11, La Repubblica". la Repubblica (in Italian). 13 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  7. ↑ "Juventus-Genoa, le formazioni ufficiali: giocano Dragusin e Wesley | Goal.com" [Juventus - Genoa, the official line-ups: Drăgușin and Wesley play | Goal.com] (in Italian). Goal. 13 January 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  8. ↑ Pifferi, Matteo (14 January 2021). "Coppa Italia – La Juventus batte il Genoa ai supplementari: ai quarti Sassuolo o SPAL" [Italian Cup - Juventus beats Genoa in extra time: Sassuolo or SPAL in the quarterfinals] (in Italian). FC Inter 1908.
  9. ↑ "La Juventus U23 strapazza l'Albinoleffe: 3-0, in rete anche Dragusin. In campo Ake" [Juventus U23 beat Albinoleffe: 3-0, Drăgușin also scored. Ake on the field] (in Italian). TUTTOmercatoWEB. 13 February 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  10. ↑ "Dragusin, è rinnovo!" [Drăgușin is renewed!] (in Italian). Juventus F.C. 9 April 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  11. ↑ "UFFICIALE Sampdoria, Dragusin in prestito dalla Juventus" [OFFICIAL Sampdoria, Drăgușin on loan from Juventus] (in Italian). TUTTOmercatoWEB. 31 August 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  12. 1 2 "Gazzetta Dello Sport, laude pentru români! Radu Drăgușin și Răzvan Marin, cei mai buni în meciurile din Serie A" [Gazzetta Dello Sport, praises for Romanians! Radu Drăgușin and Răzvan Marin, the best in their Serie A matches] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 28 October 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2021. He shows great personality, even if used in a position [of a right defender] that is not specific of him.
  13. ↑ "Radu Dragusin è un nuovo giocatore della Salernitana" [Radu Drăgușin is Salernitana's new player] (in Italian). U.S. Salernitana 1919. 31 January 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  14. ↑ "Salernitana-Spezia 2-2, due magie di Verdi non bastano ai granata" [Salernitana-Spezia 2-2, two magic tricks from Verdi are not enough for the Burgundies]. la Repubblica (in Italian). 7 February 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  15. ↑ "Radu Dragusin e 'Rossoblu'" [Radu Drăgușin is a "Red and Blue"] (in Italian). Genoa CFC. 14 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  16. ↑ "Internaționalul român a fost cumpărat pentru 6 milioane de euro! Evoluțiile fotbalistului nostru i-au impresionat pe italieni" [The Romanian international was bought for 6 million euros! The development of our footballer impressed the Italians] (in Romanian). ProSport. 20 January 2023.
  17. ↑ "Radu Drăgușin vrea să "rupă norii" și nu s-a ferit de cuvinte! Ce le-a spus italienilor, după primul gol marcat în Serie A" [Radu Drăgușin wants to "break the clouds" and he didn't shy away from words! What he said to the Italians, after his first goal scored in the Serie A] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 11 November 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  18. 1 2 "EXCLUSIV / VIDEO Radu Drăgușin este "Fotbalistul anului" în Ancheta Gazetei Sporturilor 2023: "Sunt fericit și mândru! O bucurie pentru că evoluția mea în fotbal este una corectă și frumoasă"" [EXCLUSIVE / VIDEO Radu Drăgușin is the "Footballer of the Year" in the 2023 Gazeta Sporturilor Survey: "I am happy and proud! It's a joy because my growth in football is a correct and beautiful one"]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 21 December 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  19. ↑ "GOOOL Radu Drăgușin! Românul a plutit peste apărarea lui Inter și a înscris superb în minutul 45+7" [GOAAL Radu Drăgușin! The Romanian floated over Inter's defense and scored superbly in the 45+7th minute] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 29 December 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  20. ↑ "Drăgușin joins from Genoa". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. 11 January 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  21. ↑ "Reacţia lui Adrian Mutu, după ce Radu Drăguşin a devenit cel mai scump fotbalist român din istorie: "Să fie conştient de asta!"" [Adrian Mutu's reaction, after Radu Drăgușin became the most expensive Romanian footballer in history: "He should be aware of this!"] (in Romanian). Antena Sport. 12 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  22. ↑ Romano, Fabrizio (10 January 2024). "Tottenham land £26m Radu Drăgușin after seeing off Bayern Munich interest". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  23. ↑ "VIDEO Radu Drăgușin a debutat la Tottenham, în meciul cu Manchester United!" [VIDEO Radu Drăgușin debuted for Tottenham, in the match against Manchester United!] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 14 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  24. ↑ "Adrian Mutu a anunțat lotul României pentru Euro 2021! Ce jucători vor merge în Ungaria și Slovenia" [Adrian Mutu announced Romania's squad for Euro 2021! What players will go to Hungary and Slovenia] (in Romanian). Eurosport România. 14 March 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  25. ↑ "Prima reacție a lui Adi Mutu, după eliminarea de la EURO 2021: "Băieții trebuie felicitați". Cum a explicat schimbările" [Adi Mutu's first reaction, after the elimination from EURO 2021: "The boys must be congratulated". How he explained the changes] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 30 March 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  26. ↑ "Cele 24 de convocări preliminare pentru partidele României cu Grecia și Israel" [The 24 preliminary call-ups for Romania's matches with Greece and Israel] (in Romanian). Romanian Football Federation. 4 March 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  27. ↑ "Se conturează noua generație! Radu Drăgușin a debutat în naționala mare a României" [A new generation is taking shape! Radu Drăgușin made his debut for the senior national team of Romania] (in Romanian). Sport.ro. 25 March 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  28. ↑ "VICTORIE cu Elveția și mergem la EURO 2024 de pe primul loc în grupă!" [WIN against Switzerland and we go to EURO 2024 from first place in the group!] (in Romanian). Romanian Football Federation. 21 November 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  29. ↑ "Radu Drăgușin". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
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