Cristian Balgradean

Cristian Emanuel Balgradean (Romanian pronunciation: [kristiˈan bəlgrəˈde̯an]; born 21 March 1988) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays for Liga I club CFR Cluj as a goalkeeper.

Since making his debut in the first division in 2010, Balgradean has amassed over 200 matches in the competition for Dinamo București, Universitatea Craiova, FCSB and CFR Cluj, among others. With the former team, he won the Cupa Romaniei and the Supercupa Romaniei in 2012, and with the latter the Liga I and the Supercupa Romaniei in 2021.

Balgradean registered his full debut for the Romania national team in November 2011, in a 3–1 friendly victory over Greece.

Club Career

Balgradean started his career as a youngster at Helmuth Duckadam football school in Arad. After the school was disbanded, he joined the junior groups of Atletico Arad. In 2005, he signed his first professional contract with Minerul Lupeni. His evolution was impressive, and he was bought by FC Brașov. In 2008, he was transferred permanently by Liberty Salonta. From the Bihor team, Balgradean was called to the Romania U-21 team. In 2009, he returns home to Arad, being bought by Gloria Arad, and then loaned to UTA Arad.

In June 2010 he signed a contract for five seasons with Dinamo București. He failed to gain a position in the first squad and was loaned for a season at Unirea Urziceni. In the Winter break, Balgradean was called back to Dinamo by Ioan Andone who decided to give him a chance in the first 11 after an injury of Emilian Dolha. He kept his position after Andone was replaced with Liviu Ciobotariu in July 2011.

Following the arrival of Dario Bonetti as head-coach, Balgradean initially lost his place in the first team when the Italian manager chose Kristijan Naumovski as first goalkeeper. After a while, the two players were used alternately because they both became eligible for their national teams and for a possible future transfer.

In July 2014, Balgradean was released by Dinamo.

On 26 August, he