Louis Munteanu (Romanian pronunciation: [ˈluis munˈte̯anu]; born 16 June 2002) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Liga I club CFR Cluj.

Louis Munteanu
Munteanu with Romania U21 in 2024
Personal information
Full name Louis Munteanu
Date of birth (2002-06-16) 16 June 2002 (age 22)
Place of birth Vaslui, Romania
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
CFR Cluj
Number 9
Youth career
2007–2015 LPS Vaslui
2015–2019 Gheorghe Hagi Academy
2020–2022 Fiorentina
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2020 Viitorul Constanța 21 (3)
2020–2024 Fiorentina 0 (0)
2022–2023Farul Constanța (loan) 29 (10)
2023–2024Farul Constanța (loan) 34 (12)
2024– CFR Cluj 12 (6)
International career
2018 Romania U16 4 (1)
2017–2019 Romania U17 14 (4)
2019–2020 Romania U18 4 (3)
2019–2021 Romania U19 3 (0)
2022 Romania U20 2 (0)
2021– Romania U21 15 (5)
2023– Romania 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11 November 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15 October 2024

Munteanu made his senior debut for Viitorul Constanța in 2019, aged 17, and the next year was transferred to Italian side Fiorentina. In 2022, he returned to his boyhood club, which had merged with Farul Constanța, and contributed to winning the national title during his first loan spell back. Two years later, Munteanu signed with CFR Cluj, also in the Liga I.

Internationally, Munteanu represented Romania under-21 in the 2023 UEFA European Championship. In October that year, he registered his full debut in a goalless draw with Belarus in the Euro 2024 qualifiers.

Club career

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Viitorul Constanța

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Munteanu made his professional debut for Viitorul Constanța on 27 October 2019, in a 2–3 away Liga I loss to Dinamo București. Five days later, he scored his first goal in a 3–0 home success over Chindia Târgoviște.[1] Munteanu amassed three goals from 19 appearances during his first season as a senior, all in the league championship.

Fiorentina

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On 26 September 2020, Munteanu was transferred to Italian club Fiorentina for a rumoured fee of €2 million.[2] During his initial two years with the Primavera side, he appeared in 40 matches and scored 13 goals.[1]

First loan to Farul Constanța

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On 15 August 2022, Munteanu rejoined the Romanian league by signing for Farul Constanța on loan until the end of the season.[3] Before moving to Farul, he was close to being loaned to Rapid București, but the deal fell through because Fiorentina declined to include a permanent transfer clause.[4] On the 28th that month, he scored his first two goals in a 3–1 away victory over defending champions CFR Cluj.[5]

On 6 May 2023, Munteanu netted his second double of the campaign in a 7–2 home thrashing of Rapid București.[6] Fifteen days later, he scored the winner in a 3–2 home success over league contenders FCSB, securing the national title for Farul with one match remaining.[7] On 28 May, Munteanu ended his spell with ten goals in 29 matches by scoring twice in a 2–1 away victory at CFR Cluj, also missing a penalty.[8]

Second loan to Farul Constanța

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On 18 August 2023, Munteanu was sent on another year-long loan to Farul.[9] He made his debut in European competitions six days later, coming on for Adrian Mazilu in a 2–1 home win over HJK in the UEFA Europa Conference League play-off round.[10] On 27 August, he scored both goals in a 2–0 home win against Universitatea Craiova.[11]

Munteanu surpassed his previous season's statistics by netting 12 goals in 34 Liga I appearances, and was voted Farul Player of the Year by the fans.[12]

CFR Cluj

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On 31 July 2024, amid interest from fellow league clubs FCSB and Rapid București, CFR Cluj officially announced the transfer of Munteanu on a four-year contract.[13][14] CFR Cluj owner Neluțu Varga admitted that the transfer fee was "around €2 million", contrasting some reports that indicated it might be as high as €2.8 million,[15] and also stated that Fiorentina retained 50% participation rights in a co-ownership deal.[16]

Munteanu registered his debut on 4 August 2024, starting in a 2–3 home Liga I loss to rivals Universitatea Cluj.[17] One week later, he scored his first two goals in a 3–0 win over newly-promoted Unirea Slobozia.[18] On 15 September, Munteanu netted another double in a 2–2 home derby draw with FCSB.[19]

International career

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On 15 June 2023, Munteanu was selected in the Romania national under-21 team squad for the 2023 UEFA European Championship.[20] He started in all three group games, as his side failed to score any goals and finished in last place. On 12 October that year, Munteanu made his full debut for Romania by coming on as a 77th-minute substitute for Denis Drăguș in a goalless draw with Belarus in the Euro 2024 qualifiers.[21]

On 11 October 2024, Munteanu scored a hat-trick in a 6–2 away thrashing of Montenegro counting for the 2025 European Under-21 Championship qualifiers. Four days later, he provided two assists as Romania defeated Switzerland 3–1 at home and qualified for its fourth consecutive European Under-21 Championship by winning its group.[22]

Style of play

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Munteanu is primarily deployed as a centre-forward, but can also play as a winger due to his refined technical ability and link-up play. He maintains precision and executes moves even at high speed, making him versatile across attacking positions.[23][24]

Personal life

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On 16 October 2020, Munteanu tested positive for COVID-19.[25]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 11 November 2024[26]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Viitorul Constanța 2019–20 Liga I 19 3 0 0 0 0 19 3
2020–21 Liga I 2 0 0 0 2 0
Total 21 3 0 0 0 0 21 3
Fiorentina 2020–21 Serie A 0 0 0 0 0 0
2021–22 Serie A 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0
Farul Constanța (loan) 2022–23 Liga I 29 10 0 0 29 10
Farul Constanța (loan) 2023–24 Liga I 34 12 0 0 2[a] 0 36 12
CFR Cluj 2024–25 Liga I 12 6 0 0 2[a] 0 14 6
Career total 96 31 0 0 4 0 100 31
  1. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League

International

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As of match played 12 October 2023[27]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Romania
2023 1 0
Total 1 0

Honours

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Farul Constanța[26]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Interviu cu Louis Munteanu (Farul Constanța)" [Interview with Louis Munteanu (Farul Constanța)] (in Romanian). Liga Profesionistă de Fotbal. 26 August 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  2. ^ "OFICIAL Louis Munteanu, prezentat de Fiorentina! Nu va juca la prima echipă" [OFFICIAL Louis Munteanu, unveiled by Fiorentina! He won't play for the first team]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 26 September 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  3. ^ "Bine ai venit, Louis Munteanu!" [Welcome, Louis Munteanu!] (in Romanian). FCV Farul Constanța. 15 August 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  4. ^ "EXCLUSIV De ce a picat transferul lui Louis Munteanu la Rapid" [EXCLUSIVE Why the transfer of Louis Munteanu to Rapid fell through] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  5. ^ "CFR Cluj, învinsă acasă de Farul! Louis Munteanu, cu o dublă, îi trimite pe constănțeni pe primul loc" [CFR Cluj, defeated at home by Farul! Louis Munteanu, with a double, sends the Constanța people to the first place] (in Romanian). Eurosport Romania. 28 August 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  6. ^ "Farul – Rapid 7-2. Scor incredibil! Gică Hagi a dat de pământ cu Adi Mutu. Denis Alibec a reușit un hat-trick de senzație" [Farul – Rapid 7–2. Incredible score! Gică Hagi hit the ground running against Adi Mutu. Denis Alibec achieved a sensational hat-trick] (in Romanian). Antena Sport. 6 May 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  7. ^ ""Cel mai important gol din viaţa mea". Jucătorul care l-a făcut pe Hagi campion, fără cuvinte: "Sunt fericit"" ["The most important goal in my life". The player who made Hagi a champion, speechless: "I'm happy"] (in Romanian). Orange Sport. 22 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  8. ^ "Louis Munteanu are un mesaj pentru contestatari după "dubla" din CFR Cluj - Farul 1-2" [Louis Munteanu has a message for the ones who criticise him after the "double" in CFR Cluj - Farul 1—2] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 28 May 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  9. ^ "OFICIAL Louis Munteanu a revenit la Farul" [Louis Munteanu returns to Farul] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 18 August 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  10. ^ "Farul Constanța - HJK 2–1". UEFA.com. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  11. ^ "A știut Gheorghe Hagi de ce îl readuce la Farul! Louis Munteanu a reușit dubla în meciul cu Universitatea Craiova, primul de la revenirea în Superliga" [Gheorghe Hagi knew why he was bringing him back to Farul! Louis Munteanu scored a double in the match against Universitatea Craiova, his first since returning to the Superliga] (in Romanian). ProSport. 27 August 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  12. ^ "🫶 Voi ați decis: 𝐋𝐨𝐮𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐮, jucătorul sezonului 2023-2024. 🏆" [You have decided: 𝐋𝐨𝐮𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐮, the best player of the 2023-2024 season.] (in Romanian). FCV Farul Constanța on Instagram. 27 May 2024. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  13. ^ "Transferul verii în fotbalul românesc! Louis Munteanu a bătut palma cu CFR Cluj » Cifrele mutării sunt amețitoare: "E rezolvat"" [The transfer of the summer in Romanian football! Louis Munteanu shook hands with CFR Cluj » The figures of the move are dizzying: "It's sealed"]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 30 July 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  14. ^ "Bine ai venit, Louis Munteanu!" [Welcome, Louis Munteanu!] (in Romanian). CFR Cluj. 31 July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  15. ^ "Record: 5.450.000 pentru Louis Munteanu! Patronul CFR-ului a făcut cel mai scump transfer intern din istoria fotbalului românesc" [Record: 5,450,000 for Louis Munteanu! The owner of CFR Cluj made the most expensive domestic transfer in the history of Romanian football] (in Romanian). Fanatik.ro. 31 July 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024. Fiorentina agreed to sell Louis Munteanu, 22 years old, for a substantial transfer fee of €2.8 million.
  16. ^ "EXCLUSIV S-a făcut transferul lui Louis Munteanu în Superliga: "Îl vom deține în coproprietate cu Fiorentina". Pe câți ani a semnat" [EXCLUSIVE The transfer of Louis Munteanu to the Superliga is sealed: "We will own him in co-ownership with Fiorentina". How many years did he sign for?] (in Romanian). iAM SPORT. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  17. ^ "Louis Munteanu a jucat 70 de minute în derby-ul CFR Cluj – U Cluj. Cum s-a descurcat la debut cel mai scump transfer intern din istoria fotbalului românesc" [Louis Munteanu played 70 minutes in the CFR Cluj - U Cluj derby. How did the most expensive domestic transfer in the history of Romanian football do on debut] (in Romanian). Fanatik.ro. 4 August 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  18. ^ "Mesajul indirect al lui Louis Munteanu pentru Mircea Lucescu, după "dubla" de senzație din meciul cu Unirea Slobozia" [Louis Munteanu's indirect message to Mircea Lucescu, after the sensational "double" in the match with Unirea Slobozia] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 12 August 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  19. ^ "CFR Cluj - FCSB 2-2. Louis Munteanu a semnat o "dublă" pentru ardeleni, dar campioana României a revenit" [CFR Cluj - FCSB 2-2. Louis Munteanu signed a "double" for the Transylvanians, but the Romanian champion bounced back] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 15 September 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  20. ^ "U21 la EURO 2023 | VIDEO: Ei sunt ROMÂNIA U21 pentru Campionatul European!" [U21 at EURO 2023 | VIDEO: They are ROMANIA U21 for the European Championship!] (in Romanian). Romanian Football Federation. 15 June 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  21. ^ "Louis Munteanu, de la Farul Constanța, debut la Naționala mare a României, în egalul cu Belarus" [Louis Munteanu, from Farul Constanța, debut for the National team of Romania, in the draw with Belarus] (in Romanian). Ziua de Constanța. 13 October 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  22. ^ "U21 spre EURO 2025 | CALIFICAREEEEE! România învinge Elveția și se califică la al patrulea turneu final consecutiv!" [U21 towards EURO 2025 | QUALIFICATION! Romania defeats Switzerland and qualifies for the fourth consecutive final tournament!] (in Romanian). Romanian Football Federation. 15 October 2024. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  23. ^ "Cuplul N&D, verdict în disputa "Cine e mai bun între Louis Munteanu și Bîrligea?" » Niculescu și Dănciulescu au dat note și au același preferat: "Pariez pe 18 goluri"" [EXCLUSIVE The N&D duo, opinion on the dispute "Who is better between Louis Munteanu and Bîrligea?" » Niculescu and Dănciulescu gave marks and they have the same favourite: "I bet on 18 goals"] (in Romanian). Gazeta Sporturilor. 18 September 2024. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  24. ^ "Louis Munteanu sau Bîrligea? Adi Mutu a rezolvat polemica și a ales plusurile fiecăruia dintre cei doi atacanți" [Louis Munteanu or Bîrligea? Adi Mutu solved the dispute and named the qualities of each of the two attackers] (in Romanian). Fanatik.ro. 19 September 2024. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  25. ^ "REPORT MEDICO MUNTEANU" [MUNTEANU MEDICAL REPORT] (Press release) (in Italian). A.C.F. Fiorentina. 16 October 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  26. ^ a b Louis Munteanu at Soccerway. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  27. ^ "Louis Munteanu". European Football. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
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