Ionuț Nedelcearu (; born 25 April 1996) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Russian Premier League club Akron Tolyatti.
Club career Dinamo București Nedelcearu joined the youth system of Dinamo București at the age of seven. After playing for the reserves, he made his first-team debut on 31 October 2013 in a Cupa României match against Chindia Târgoviște, aged 17. On 13 December that year, he recorded his first Liga I appearance in a 4–0 home victory over ACS Poli Timișoara.
Nedelcearu netted his first goal for the Alb-roșii in a 3–2 away win against Pandurii Târgu Jiu on 28 October 2015, a game where he also scored in his own net.
Ufa On 15 February 2018, Nedelcearu signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Russian Premier League side FC Ufa. In the summer of 2019, press reported that several teams showed interest in signing him, including Roma and Zenit Saint Petersburg.
AEK Athens On 5 October 2020, Nedelcearu signed a four-year contract with Super League Greece club AEK Athens. On 1 November 2020, he scored his first goal, the equalizer of an eventual 2–1 home win against OFI.
Crotone On 16 July 2021, he moved to Italian club Crotone on a three-year contract, for a fee of €1.2 million.
Palermo On 27 July 2022, following Crotone's relegation to Serie C, Nedelcearu signed for Serie B club Palermo on a three-year deal. He made his debut with the rosanero in the 32nd finals of Coppa Italia against Torino.
Akron Tolyatti On 7 February 2025, Nedelcearu returned to Russia and signed with Akron Tolyatti.
International career On 27 March 2018, Nedelcearu made his full debut for Romania after being brought on as an 83rd-minute substitute in a 1–0 win over Sweden.
On 7 June 2024, he was selected in Romania's squad for the UEFA Euro 2024, but did not feature in any match.
Personal life Born in Bucharest, Nedelcearu attended the National University of Physical Education and Sport before moving abroad for the first time. His father, Marin, was also a professional footballer, while his mother, Geta, was a sprinter in her youth.
Career statistics
Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsDinamo București2013–14Liga I1010———202014–15Liga I1301030——1702015–16Liga I2105120——2812016–17Liga I3332040——3932017–18Liga I21220—20—252Total8951119020—1116Ufa2017–18Russian Premier League100————1002018–19Russian Premier League26100—60203412019–20Russian Premier League20010———2102020–21Russian Premier League9010———100Total65120—6020751AEK Athens2020–21Super League Greece25140—60—351Crotone2021–22Serie B34220———362Palermo2022–23Serie B36010———3702023–24Serie B20200——102122024–25Serie B9010———100Total65220——10682Akron Tolyatti2024–25Russian Premier League12010———1302025–26Russian Premier League27150——003212026–27Russian Premier League2020———40Total41180——00491Career total31912291901403037413
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsRomania201830201960202042202170202240202310202420Total272
Scores and results list Romania's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Nedelcearu goal. + List of international goals scored by Ionuț NedelcearuNo.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition 1 11 November 2020 Stadionul Ilie Oană, Ploiești, Romania 12 3–0 5–3 Friendly 2 5–0
Honours Dinamo București Cupa României runner-up: 2015–16 Cupa Ligii: 2016–17
See also List of foreign Russian Premier League players
References
External links