Dan Nistor

Dan Nistor

Nistor in 2016
Personal information
Full name	Dan Nicolae Nistor [1]
Date of birth	(1988-05-06) 6 May 1988 (age 36)
Place of birth	Rucăr, Romania
Height	1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Universitatea Cluj
Number	10
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2005–2007	AS Rucăr
2007–2010	Internațional Curtea de Argeș
2008–2009	→ Muscelul Câmpulung (loan)
2009–2010	→ Dacia Mioveni (loan)	28	(4)
2010–2013	Pandurii Târgu Jiu	97	(9)
2013–2015	Evian	6	(0)
2014–2015	→ Pandurii Târgu Jiu (loan)	45	(2)
2015–2016	Pandurii Târgu Jiu	35	(1)
2016–2017	Dinamo București	29	(3)
2017	CFR Cluj	17	(0)
2018–2019	Dinamo București	66	(9)
2020–2023	Universitatea Craiova	105	(12)
2023–	Universitatea Cluj	65	(23)
International career
2013–2020	Romania	6 [lower-alpha 1]	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 3 November 2024

Dan Nicolae Nistor (born 6 May 1988) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Liga I club Universitatea Cluj.

After starting out in the lower leagues, Nistor totalled over 100 matches for Liga I team Pandurii Târgu Jiu between 2010 and 2013. His performances inspired a transfer abroad to Evian, but was used sparingly in France and quickly returned to Pandurii Târgu Jiu. He has since spent his career with local clubs Dinamo București, CFR Cluj, Universitatea Craiova, and Universitatea Cluj.

Nistor made his senior international debut for Romania in June 2013, in a 4–0 victory over for Trinidad and Tobago. ^{[lower-alpha 1]}

Club career

Early career

Nistor did not play football at junior level, ^[2] but in 2005 joined his hometown club AS Rucăr in the lower leagues. Roughly two years later, during a match against the reserves of Argeș Pitești, he impressed Internațional Curtea de Argeș owner Benone Lazăr who was in the attendance. Nistor was then transferred to the latter club at the cost of seven football balls. ^[3]

After his first season at Internațional in the third league, Nistor was loaned to Muscelul Câmpulung and Dacia Mioveni, respectively. ^[4] Upon his return to Curtea de Argeș in 2010, the team withdrew from the Liga I championship due to financial issues. ^[3]

Pandurii Târgu Jiu

Nistor signed a four-year contract with Liga I team Pandurii Târgu Jiu in the summer of 2010.^{[ citation needed ]} He played his first match in the top division on 23 July that year, featuring the full 90 minutes in a goalless draw with Unirea Urziceni. ^[5] On 10 April 2011, he scored his first Liga I goal in a 4–2 home victory over Victoria Brănești. ^[6]

Nistor made 35 appearances and netted six goals all competition comprised in the 2012–13 season, as Pandurii finished second in the championship and subsequently qualified for the UEFA Europa League. He made his debut in the latter competition on 16 July 2013, in a goalless away draw with Levadia Tallinn in the second qualifying round. ^[7] His team went further after 4–0 on aggregate, and he recorded his first European goal in a 1–1 draw against Hapoel Tel Aviv on 1 August. ^[8]

Evian

In August 2013, amid interest from FC Steaua București, CFR Cluj, and Málaga, ^[9] Nistor was transferred by French club Evian for a rumoured fee of €800,000. ^{[10] [11]} He failed to establish himself as a starter for Les Roses, only amassing six Ligue 1 matches during the first half of the 2013–14 campaign. As a result, Nistor made a controversial statement about Evian's staff, saying that he did not play more because of his nationality. ^[12]

Return to Pandurii Târgu Jiu

On 22 January 2014, Nistor was sent on loan to his former team Pandurii Târgu Jiu for a period of five months, ^[13] which was later extended for the 2014–15 season. In the summer of 2015, after being released by Evian, he again joined the Alb-albaștrii as a free agent.

Dinamo București

On 31 August 2016, Nistor agreed to a two-year deal with fellow league club Dinamo București. ^[14] He won his first career trophy on 20 May 2017, after "the Red Dogs" came victorious 2–0 in the Cupa Ligii final against ACS Poli Timișoara. ^[15]

CFR Cluj

On 10 July 2017, Nistor moved to CFR Cluj in a swap deal which took Filipe Nascimento in the opposite direction. ^{[16] [17]} Under the management of Dan Petrescu, he played 18 games across all competitions without scoring. In January 2018, he publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with Petrescu's communication skills and his recent lack of playing time. ^[18]

Return to Dinamo București

Nistor terminated his contract with CFR Cluj and rejoined Dinamo București on 13 January 2018. ^{[19] [20]} He was assigned the number 10 shirt ^[21] and played his first match upon return on 4 February, in a 2–2 Liga I draw with Universitatea Craiova. ^[22]

On 29 July 2018, Nistor scored in a cross-town derby with FCSB, which ended 3–3. ^[23] The following month, FCSB reportedly made several bids for the transfer of the midfielder; Dinamo however rejected each offer ^{[24] [25]} and proceeded in contract extension talks. Nistor registered 13 assists across the 2018–19 league season, the most for a player in the previous ten years, and was named by Liga Profesionistă de Fotbal in the best team of the campaign. ^[26]

Universitatea Craiova

On 6 January 2020, Nistor signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Universitatea Craiova for an undisclosed transfer fee. ^[27] He made his debut on the 31st, in a 3–1 Liga I victory over Gaz Metan Mediaș, and scored his first goals on 4 March in a 2–3 Cupa României loss to Politehnica Iași.

On 23 June 2020, Nistor scored his first goal in the championship for Craiova in a 2–1 home defeat of Botoșani. He then converted the winning penalty in a 2–1 victory over FCSB on 12 July. On 3 August, Nistor opened the scoring in an eventual 1–3 home loss to CFR Cluj in the final fixture; the result meant that Craiova finished second in the table, while his former club won its third title in a row. ^[28]

Universitatea Cluj

On 13 February 2023, Nistor moved to Universitatea Cluj, the city rival of his former club CFR Cluj. ^[29]

International career

On 4 June 2013, Nistor made his international debut for the Romania national team in a 4–0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago at the Arena Națională in Bucharest. ^[30] He previously played in two unofficial friendlies against Belgium and Poland, respectively.

His next caps for the nation only came during late 2019 under manager Cosmin Contra, appearing as a substitute in both UEFA Euro 2020 qualifiers against Norway (1–1 home draw) and Spain (0–5 home loss). ^[31]

Personal life

In February 2012, Nistor was caught driving an Audi A5 without a license and fined accordingly. ^[32]

He has been married since June 2013, with fellow footballer Mihai Pintilii acting as best man. ^[33] His spouse Cosmina gave birth to a son in April 2017. ^[34]

Career statistics

International

As of 18 November 2020. ^[35]

Appearances and goals by national team and year

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Romania
	2013	1	0
	2019	2	0
	2020	3	0
Total		6 [lower-alpha 1]	0

Honours

Internațional Curtea de Argeș

• Liga III: 2007–08

Pandurii Târgu Jiu

• Cupa Ligii runner-up: 2014–15

Dinamo București

• Cupa Ligii: 2016–17 ^[15]

CFR Cluj

• Liga I: 2017–18

Universitatea Craiova

• Cupa României: 2020–21
• Supercupa României: 2021

Universitatea Cluj

• Cupa României runner-up: 2022–23

Individual

• Liga I Team of the Season: 2018–19, ^[36] 2019–20 ^[37]
• Gazeta Sporturilor Romania Player of the Month: October 2023

References

Notes

1. Nistor previously earned a cap for Romania in a match against Belgium, which was later deemed unofficial. He also played a game for Romania B, hence the statistical inacurracies.

Citations

1. "UEFA Nations League 2021: Booking List before League phase Matchday 6" (PDF). UEFA. 16 November 2020. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 November 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
2. "VIDEO EXCLUSIV Nistor: "Sunt unicul fotbalist din Liga I fără juniorat"" [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO Nistor: "I am the only Liga I player without junior football"] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 11 June 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
3. "Strania poveste a lui Nistor, jucătorul Pandurilor: 'Inter m-a transferat pe 7 mingi'" [The strange story of Nistor, Pandurii's player: 'Inter transferred me for 7 balls'] (in Romanian). ProSport. 12 August 2010. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
4. "A lucrat ca paznic la hotel şi s-a apucat de fotbal la 17 ani! El e surpriza lui Piţurcă! Povestea fotbalistului "de duminică" ajuns la naţională" [He worked as a hotel watchman and started football at age 17! He is Pițurcă's surprise! The story of the "Sunday league" player who was selected in the national team] (in Romanian). ProSport. 13 November 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
5. "Gol perfect valabil refuzat Pandurilor in minutul 93: Pandurii 0-0 Unirea Urziceni!" [Flawless dissalowed goal for Pandurii in the 93rd minute: Pandurii 0–0 Unirea Urziceni!] (in Romanian). Sport.ro. 23 July 2010. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
6. "Adio griji pentru Grig! Pandurii Târgu Jiu – Victoria Brăneşti 4-2" [Grig waves goodbye to worries! Padurii Târgu Jiu – Victoria Brănești 4–2] (in Romanian). ProSport. 10 April 2011. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
7. "Oltenii ratară mult! Levadia – Pandurii 0-0" [Oltenii missed a lot of chances! Levadia – Pandurii 0–0] (in Romanian). ProSport. 16 July 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
8. "Europa League: Pandurii scoate o remiza cu Hapoel" [Europa League: Pandurii draws with Hapoel] (in Romanian). Ziare.com. 1 August 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
9. "Încă un rival în cursa pentru semnătura lui Nistor » CFR apare pe turnantă" [Another rival in the race for Nistor's signing » CFR is on the turntable]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 2 May 2013. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
10. "Dan Nistor a fost transferat la Evian în prima ligă din Franţa" [Dan Nistor was transferred to Evian in the French first league] (in Romanian). CS Pandurii Târgu Jiu. 16 August 2013. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
11. "Pandurii a bătut palma cu Evian! Meciul cu Astra este ultimul pentru Nistor" [Pandurii reached a deal with Evian! The match against Astra is the last for Nistor] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 17 August 2013.
12. "Dan Nistor are o explicaţie pentru eşecul de la Evian: "N-am jucat pentru că eram român!"" [Dan Nistor has an explanation for his failure at Evian: "I did not play because I was Romanian"]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 5 February 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
13. "Dan Nistor a ajuns azi la un acord cu Pandurii Târgu Jiu pentru un împrumut pentru următoarele cinci luni" [Dan Nistor reached an agreement with Pandurii Târgu Jiu for a loan for the following five months] (in Romanian). CS Pandurii Târgu Jiu. 22 January 2014. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
14. "Dan Nistor este jucătorul lui Dinamo! A efectuat vizita medicală, apoi a semnat contractul cu echipa din "Ştefan cel Mare"" [Dan Nistor is Dinamo's player! He passed his medical, then signed the contract with the club from "Ștefan cel Mare"] (in Romanian). ProSport. 31 August 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
15. "Primul trofeu după o pauză de cinci ani: Dinamo a învins ACS Poli Timişoara, scor 2-0, şi a câştigat Cupa Ligii" [First trophy after a pause of five years: Dinamo defeated ACS Poli Timișoara, score 2–0, and won the Cupa Ligii] (in Romanian). Mediafax. 20 May 2017. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
16. "OFICIAL: S-a făcut schimbul. Dan Nistor i-a luat locul lui Nascimento la CFR Cluj: "Aseară ne-am înţeles"" [Official: The swap was made. Dan Nistor took Nascimento's place at CFR Cluj: "We reached a deal yesterday afternoon"] (in Romanian). CjSport. 7 July 2017. Archived from the original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
17. "Încă un transfer important la CFR | Bun venit, Dan Nistor!" [Another important transfer to CFR | Welcome, Dan Nistor!] (in Romanian). CFR Cluj. 10 July 2017. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
18. ""Super Dan", atacat de Dan Nistor: "Spune, nene, ai ceva cu mine?"" ["Super Dan", contested by Dan Nistor: "Tell me, uncle, do you have something against me?"] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 8 January 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
19. "OFICIAL. Dan NISTOR la Dinamo" [OFFICIAL. Dan NISTOR to Dinamo] (in Romanian). FC Dinamo București. 13 January 2018. Archived from the original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
20. "Dan Nistor s-a întors la Dinamo. Contract până în 2020. "Am revenit acasă"" [Dan Nistor returned to Dinamo. Contract running until 2020. "I am home again"]. Libertatea (in Romanian). 13 January 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
21. "PREZENTARE OFICIALĂ. 8, 9 și 10!" [OFFICIAL PRESENTATION. 8, 9 and 10!] (in Romanian). FC Dinamo București. 3 February 2018. Archived from the original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
22. "Dinamo – Craiova 2-2. Alb-roşiii au egalat de două ori şi au avut o bară în prelungiri" [Dinamo – Craiova 2-2. Alb-roșii equaled twice and hit the post in the extra time] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 4 February 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
23. "Gol Nistor în FCSB – Dinamo 2-2. Vezi execuţia! Video" [A goal from Nistor in FCSB – Dinamo 2-2. See his execution! Video] (in Romanian). Fanatik.ro. 29 July 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
24. "Telenovela Nistor la FCSB s-a încheiat! Becali a pus pe masă 1 milion € și răspunsul lui Dinamo a venit pe loc" [The Nistor to FCSB telenovela has ended! Becali offered 1 million € and Dinamo's response came instantly] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 22 August 2018. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
25. "Nistor, un model! Bratu a dezvăluit ce s-a întâmplat cu căpitanul lui Dinamo după ce a ratat muntele de bani pus pe masă de Becali: "Aşa l-am simţit!"" [Nistor, a model! Bratu revealed what happened with Dinamo's captain after missing out on the mount of money put on the table by Becali: "That's what I felt about him!"] (in Romanian). ProSport. 24 August 2018. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
26. "Echipa sezonului 2018/2019" [Best team of the 2018/19 season] (in Romanian). Liga Profesionistă de Fotbal. 24 June 2019. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
27. "#BunVenitDan – Nistor a semnat cu Știința" [#WelcomeDan – Nistor signed with Știința] (in Romanian). CS Universitatea Craiova. 6 January 2020. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
28. "Universitatea Craiova – CFR Cluj 1-3. Veni, Vidi, Vinicius. Ardelenii revin spectaculos, câștigă al treilea titlu consecutiv și se pregătesc de preliminariile Champions League" [Universitatea Craiova – CFR Cluj 1-3. Veni, Vidi, Vinícius. Ardelenii turn the game around in a spectacular manner, win their third consecutive title and prepare for the Champions League qualifiers] (in Romanian). ProSport. 3 August 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
29. "EXCLUSIV Trei plecări într-o zi de la CSU Craiova: Dan Nistor schimbă echipa după 3 ani în Bănie" [EXCLUSIVE Three departures in one day for CSU Craiova: Dan Nistor changes the team after 3 years in Bănie]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 13 February 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
30. "FOTO şi VIDEO România – Trinidad Tobago 4-0 » Victorie de moral pentru tricolori" [PHOTO and VIDEO Romania – Trinidad and Tobago 4–0 » Moral victory for "the Tricolours"]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 4 June 2013. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
31. "Dan Nistor iese la atac: "Dacă aș fi jucat de la început, mi-aș fi dat viața pentru echipa națională. Nu ca alții"" [Dan Nistor attacks his teammates: "If I had played from the start, I would have given my life for the national team. Not like others"] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 23 November 2019. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
32. "Penal » Mijlocaşul Pandurilor, Dan Nistor, a fost prins conducînd fără carnet!" [Penal » Pandurii's midfielder, Dan Nistor, was caught driving without a license!]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 21 February 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
33. "Dan Nistor a semnat cel mai important "contract"! Mijlocaşul s-a căsătorit" [Dan Nistor signed his most important "contract"! The midfielder married] (in Romanian). ProSport. 23 June 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
34. "Dan Nistor, un tătic emoţionat" [Dan Nistor, an excited father]. Libertatea (in Romanian). 9 April 2017. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
35. "Dan Nistor". European Football. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
36. "Echipa sezonului 2018/2019" [Team of the season 2018/2019] (in Romanian). LPF.ro. 24 June 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
37. "LPF a anunțat echipa sezonului în Liga 1 » CFR Cluj dă cei mai mulți jucători, FCSB doar unul" [LPF has announced the "ideal team" of the Liga 1 season! CFR Cluj offers the most players, FCSB only one.] (in Romanian). GSP. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2021.

External links

• Dan Nistor at RomanianSoccer.ro (in Romanian)
• Dan Nistor at National-Football-Teams.com
• Dan Nistor at Soccerway
• Dan Nistor – UEFA competition record ( archive )