Romania fast becoming “El Dorado” for Portuguese players

Second club buy Portuguese talent en masse

More than 20 Portuguese players were active in Romania’s top two leagues in the first half of the 2007/08 season, some of them managing to be regarded as top players in the eastern country.

CFR Cluj, current runaway leaders of the Romanian top flight – a position that will entitle them to direct entry into the group stage of Champions League if they stay there – have 10 Portuguese in their squad.

Cadu (first place in Romanian daily ProSport’s top of central defenders, with an average of 2.27 stars), Tony (top right-back, with 2.38 stars), Antonio Semedo (second among the right midfielders, with 2.21 stars) and Dani (third of the central midfielders, with 2.06 stars) have all contributed hugely to Cluj’s ascension.

One more Portuguese reached ProSport’s Top 5 positions - Bruno Simao from UTA (fifth place among the left midfielders section).

The second half of the season has announced more Portuguese newcomers. Joaquim Teixeira, the new coach of Pandurii Targu Jiu, will bring 11 Portuguese players to his team, a number which will surpass Cluj’s actual record.

Full list of Portuguese players currently playing in Romania’s top two divisions.

Liga I

Antonio Semedo (CFR Cluj) 19 matches/3 goals
Cadu (CFR Cluj) 18/2
Tony (CFR Cluj, also French citizen) 18/1
Bruno Simao (UTA) 15/1
Dani (CFR Cluj) 15
Gaston Mendy (Farul Constanta, also Senegalese citizen) 13
Edson (UTA) 12/3
Mala (Farul Constanta, also Guinea-Bissau international) 12
Manuel Jose (CFR Cluj) 11
Bruno Fernandes (Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt, also Guinea-Bissau international) 11
Nuno Claro (CFR Cluj) 9
Andre Leao (CFR Cluj) 8
Amoreirinha (CFR Cluj) 2
Pedro Oliveira (CFR Cluj) 1
Fredy (CFR Cluj)
Elio Wilson (Farul Constanta) -
Paulo Monteiro (Farul Constanta) -

Liga II

Paulo Adriano (FC Brasov) 17/2
Hugo Moutinho (FC Drobeta) 16/2
Vitinha (CS Otopeni) 11/1
Ricardo Jorge (Petrolul Ploiesti)