Costel Pantilimon

Costel Fane Pantilimon (Romanian pronunciation: [kosˈtel pantiliˈmon]; born 1 February 1987) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper. He is currently a free agent.

Pantilimon began his senior career at Politehnica Timișoara. In 2011, he signed for Manchester City on an initial loan, serving as a back-up to Joe Hart. Pantilimon was first choice for City in the 2013–14 League Cup, which they went on to win. He then stayed in the Premier League with Sunderland, spending one-and-a-half seasons there before a transfer to Watford in 2016.

Pantilimon was an international for Romania from 2008 to 2017, and was selected for UEFA Euro 2016.

Club Career

Early career

Born in Bacau, Pantilimon started his career at Aerostar Bacau and got his share of limelight at the Romania national under-19 team before transferring to Politehnica Timișoara on 1 February 2006, his 19th birthday.

Politehnica Timișoara

Initially, Pantilimon was Timișoara's second-choice goalkeeper, behind Marius Popa. In May 2008, however, the owner of the club, Marian Iancu, transferred Popa to the second team, and Pantilimon took the pole position. He made his debut in the Romanian Liga 1 against Dinamo București, in March 2007.

In a match against Ceahlaul on 17 October 2009, Pantilimon captained the team for the first time, since Dan Alexa, Gigel Bucur and Arman Karamyan and his brother Artavazd were all on the bench.

Pantilimon was part of the Timișoara team that defeated UEFA Cup winners Shakhtar Donetsk in the qualifying rounds of the 2009–10 Champions League campaign. He played all 90 minutes of each leg.

Manchester City

On 11 August 2011, Pantilimon joined Manchester City on a one-year loan deal from Politehnica Timișoara to act as cover for Joe Hart following the departure of Shay Given.

This page also has a version in other languages :  Костел Пантилимон (russian)