Nicolae Stanciu (footballer, born 1993)

Nicolae Stanciu

Stanciu with Anderlecht in 2017
Personal information
Full name	Nicolae Claudiu Stanciu
Date of birth	(1993-05-07) 7 May 1993 (age 23)
Place of birth	Cricău, Romania
Height	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Playing position	Attacking midfielder / Winger
Club information
Current team	Anderlecht
Number	73
Youth career
2004–2008	Unirea Alba Iulia
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2008–2011	Unirea Alba Iulia	36	(3)
2011–2013	Vaslui	47	(2)
2013–2016	Steaua București	90	(24)
2016–	Anderlecht	20	(4)
National team‡
2011–2012	Romania U19	6	(2)
2011–2013	Romania U21	13	(3)
2016–	Romania	11	(5)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 26 February 2017. ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 11 November 2016

Nicolae "Nicușor" Claudiu Stanciu (Romanian pronunciation: [nikuˈʃor ˈstantʃju]; born 7 May 1993) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays for Belgian club Anderlecht and the Romania national team as an attacking midfielder or a winger.

Stanciu began his career with Unirea Alba Iulia, going on to represent in his country Vaslui and Steaua București, winning six domestic honours and making a name for himself with the latter. In 2016, he moved to Belgium with Anderlecht.

Stanciu made his senior international debut for Romania in March 2016, after having previously represented it at under-19 and under-21 levels.

Stanciu was born in the village of Craiva from Cricău, Alba County. He was raised mainly by his grandmother, who died in 2007 when he was only 14 years old. He dedicated his first senior national team goal to her.

Stanciu joined Unirea Alba Iulia's youth system at the age of 11. On 25 May 2008, aged just 15 years and 18 days, he made his senior debut for the team, coming off from the bench in a 4–1 victory over Corvinul Hunedoara for the Liga II championship. He spent the vast majority of the 2008–09 season on the sidelines, after suffering a long-term injury.