Vlad Chiricheș is a Romanian footballer born in 1989, known for his versatility on the field as a centre-back and defensive midfielder.
He began his professional career at FCSB, where he played from 2012 to 2013 and made a significant impact in the Europa League.
Before joining FCSB, Chiricheș played for CS Pandurii Târgu Jiu from 2010 to 2012, helping the team in their league campaigns.
Biography
Early Life
Vlad Iulian Chiricheș was born in 1989 in Romania, where he began his football journey at a young age. He started his youth career as a midfielder at LPS Bacău and later played as a striker at Ardealul Cluj, where he was teammates with future Romanian internationals Mihai Răduț and Alexandru Maxim. In 2007, he took a significant step in his career by moving to Portugal to join Benfica, although he returned to Romania after a year.
Club Career
Chiricheș's professional career began with FC Internațional Curtea de Argeș, where he played from 2008 to 2010 and helped the team achieve promotion to the top flight. After the club's dissolution, he joined CS Pandurii Târgu Jiu for two seasons before making a notable transfer to FCSB in 2012 for €700,000. During his time at FCSB, he gained recognition for his performances in the Europa League, scoring memorable goals against teams like Molde and Ajax. In 2013, he moved to Tottenham Hotspur, where he played until 2015 before joining SSC Napoli. His career continued with stints at US Sassuolo Calcio and US Cremonese, before returning to FCSB in 2023.
International Career
Chiricheș made his senior debut for the Romania national team on September 2, 2011, in a UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying match against Luxembourg. He quickly established himself as a key player, serving as captain for the first time in 2013 and reaching his 50th cap in 2017. His leadership and defensive skills have made him a vital part of the national team through various competitions.
Legacy
Throughout his career, Chiricheș has earned several honors, including multiple Liga I titles with FCSB and recognition as the Gazeta Sporturilor Romanian Footballer of the Year in 2013. His contributions to both club and country have solidified his status as a respected figure in Romanian football.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Gallery
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© Clément Bucco-Lechat · CC BY-SA 3.0 
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© Ralf Roletschek (talk) - Infos über Fahrräder auf fahrradmonteur.deWiki-Technologie für Schulen und Unternehmen · CC BY-SA 3.0 
© Ralf Roletschek (talk) - Infos über Fahrräder auf fahrradmonteur.deWiki-Technologie für Schulen und Unternehmen · CC BY-SA 3.0 
© Ralf Roletschek (talk) - Infos über Fahrräder auf fahrradmonteur.deWiki-Technologie für Schulen und Unternehmen · CC BY-SA 3.0
Career & Clubs
Early career
Chiricheș began his youth career in his hometown as a midfielder at LPS Bacău, and even played as a striker a few years later when he moved to Ardealul Cluj. At the latter side, he was teammates with also future Romanian internationals Mihai Răduț and Alexandru Maxim. In 2007, Chiricheș moved to Portuguese team Benfica. Upon his return to Romania after twelve months spent in Lisbon, Chiricheș joined lower league club Internațional Curtea de Argeș and helped them achieve promotion to the top flight in 2009. In 2010, shortly after Internațional was dissolved, he moved alongside many of his teammates to Pandurii Târgu Jiu. Chiricheș was close to sign for FCSB instead, but their coach Victor Pițurcă did not agree with the transfer.
Steaua București
After one season in Târgu Jiu, Chiricheș eventually sealed a transfer to Steaua București for a reported sum of €700,000 plus 25% interest. FCSB paid €500,000 for the remaining procents of the co-ownership in August 2013, making the total transfer sum to €1.2 million. On 25 October 2012, he scored an overhead volley from near the penalty spot in a 2–0 win against Molde in the Europa League, which put Steaua in control of Group E. Chiricheș scored from long range against Ajax on 21 February 2013, canceling out a two-goal first-leg deficit as Steaua triumphed in the penalty shoot-out to set up a round of 16 meeting with 2012 Champions League winners Chelsea. He scored again away, an equalising goal to…
On 2 September 2011, Chiricheș made his senior debut for Romania in a 2–0 away victory over Luxembourg counting for the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying. On 14 August 2013, he served as captain for the first time in a 1–1 friendly draw with Slovakia. His competitive debut as captain came on 6 September that year, in a 3–0 FIFA World Cup qualifier victory over Hungary. On 5 October 2017, Chiricheș reached his 50th cap for the national team in a 3–1 home win against Kazakhstan.
Club
As of match played 20 April 2026
International
As of match played 10 June 2025
- Club
- FC Internațional Curtea de Argeș (2008–2010)
- Club
- Romania national under-21 football team (2009–2010)
- Club
- US Sassuolo Calcio (2019–2020)
- Club
- US Sassuolo Calcio (2020–2022)
- Club
- FCSB (2023–2026)
- National team
- Romania
- Club
- US Cremonese (2022–2023)
- Club
- Romania men's national association football team (2011–2025)
- Club
- Tottenham Hotspur F.C. (2013–2015)
- League
- Premier League
- Club
- CS Pandurii Târgu Jiu (2010–2012)
- Club
- SSC Napoli (2015–2020)
- Club
- FCSB (2012–2013)
Legacy
FCSB
Liga I: 2012–13, 2013–14, 2023–24, 2024–25 Supercupa României: 2013, 2024, 2025 Tottenham Hotspur
League Cup runner-up: 2014–15 Individual
Gazeta Sporturilor Romanian Footballer of the Year: 2013; runner-up: 2012
Clubs
- FC Internațional Curtea de Argeș2008–2010
- Romania national under-21 football team2009–2010
- CS Pandurii Târgu Jiu2010–2012
- Romania men's national association football team2011–2025
- FCSB2012–2013
- Tottenham Hotspur F.C.2013–2015
- SSC Napoli2015–2020
- US Sassuolo Calcio2019–2020
- US Sassuolo Calcio2020–2022
- US Cremonese2022–2023
- FCSB2023–2026
Played together with
Aaron LennonTottenham Hotspur F.C. · 2005–2015
Abel Gómez MorenoFCSB · 2008–2008
Achille PicciniSSC Napoli · 1938–1939
Adam OunasSSC Napoli · 2017
Adam SmithTottenham Hotspur F.C. · 2008–2014
Adel TaarabtTottenham Hotspur F.C. · 2007–2009- Adel TaarabtTottenham Hotspur F.C. · 2007–2007
Adi RochaFCSB · 2012–2013
Admir AdrovićCS Pandurii Târgu Jiu · 2013–2014- Adnan GušoCS Pandurii Târgu Jiu · 2006–2007
Adrian CristeaFCSB · 2013–2014
Adrian IlieFCSB · 1993–1996
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Vlad Iulian Chiricheș is a Romanian former professional footballer. During his playing career, he played primarily as a centre-back, but also he was deployed as a right-back or a defensive midfielder.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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