Valentin Alexandru Cojocaru (born 1 October 1995) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Ekstraklasa club Pogoń Szczecin.[2]

Club career

Steaua București

In 2011, he was selected for a trial at Liverpool, but he returned to Steaua because the clubs couldn't agree on a transfer sum.[3] He made his first appearance for Steaua București on 7 May 2013 against Gloria Bistrița, a game won with the score of 1–0. He is the son of former football referee Ispas Cojocaru.[4][5]

On 1 September 2016, Crotone announced the signing of Cojocaru on loan with a buy-out option.[6]

On 26 January 2017, Cojocaru joined Italian club Frosinone on loan.[7]

Apollon Limassol

On 7 September 2017, Apollon Limassol announced the signing of Cojocaru.[8] On 22 January 2018, Apollon Limassol mutually agreed to end player's contract.[9]

Viitorul Constanța

On 24 January 2018, Cojocaru joined Liga I side Viitorul Constanța.[10]

On 24 January 2020, Cojocaru was sent on loan to another Liga I club Voluntari until the end of the season with a buy-out option.[11]

Dnipro-1

On 5 July 2021, he joined Dnipro-1.[12]

Loan to Feyenoord

In March 2022, he moved on loan to Feyenoord.[13]

Pogoń Szczecin

After a year-long stint with Belgian side OH Leuven, Cojocaru moved to Polish Ekstraklasa club Pogoń Szczecin on a season-long loan on 4 September 2023. After establishing himself as the first-choice goalkeeper, his move was made permanent on 5 April 2024, two days after reaching the Polish Cup final with Pogoń.[14]

International career

In November 2016, Cojocaru received his first call-up to the senior Romania squad for matches against Poland and Russia.[15]

Career statistics

As of match played 9 December 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Steaua București 2012–13 Liga I 3 0 0 0 — 0 0 — 3 0
2014–15 Liga I 7 0 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 13 0
2015–16 Liga I 7 0 4 0 3 0 5[c] 0 1[d] 0 20 0
2016–17 Liga I 2 0 — — 1[e] 0 — 3 0
Total 19 0 8 0 5 0 6 0 1 0 39 0
Viitorul Constanța 2017–18 Liga I 13 0 — — — — 13 0
2018–19 Liga I 27 0 4 0 — 4[f] 0 — 35 0
2019–20 Liga I 0 0 1 0 — 0 0 0 0 1 0
2020–21 Liga I 30 0 0 0 — — 2[g] 0 32 0
Total 70 0 5 0 0 0 4 0 2 0 81 0
Voluntari (loan) 2019–20 Liga I 19 0 — — — — 19 0
Dnipro-1 2021–22 Ukrainian Premier League 14 0 0 0 — — — 14 0
Feyenoord (loan) 2021–22 Eredivisie 0 0 — — 0 0 — 0 0
OH Leuven 2022–23 Belgian Pro League 34 0 2 0 — — — 36 0
2023–24 Belgian Pro League 3 0 — — — — 3 0
Total 37 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 39 0
Pogoń Szczecin (loan) 2023–24 Ekstraklasa 27 0 5 0 — — — 32 0
Pogoń Szczecin 2024–25 Ekstraklasa 18 0 0 0 — — — 18 0
Total 45 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 0
Career total 204 0 20 0 5 0 10 0 3 0 242 0
  1. ^ Includes Cupa României, Belgian Cup, Polish Cup
  2. ^ Includes Cupa Ligii
  3. ^ Four appearances in UEFA Champions League, one appearance in UEFA Europa League
  4. ^ Appearance in Supercupa României
  5. ^ Appearance in UEFA Champions League
  6. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  7. ^ Appearance in Liga I play-offs for UEFA Europa Conference League

Honours

Steaua București

Viitorul Constanța

Feyenoord

Pogoń Szczecin

References

  1. ^ "Valentin Cojocaru" (in Polish). Pogoń Szczecin. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
  2. ^ "Pogon Szczechin licht optie op Valentin Cojocaru". 4 May 2024.
  3. ^ "Valentin Cojocaru" poate fi primul român la Liverpool!
  4. ^ "Valentin Cojocaru"-zici-ca-i-tatarusanu-la-doar-17-ani-tanarul-portar-a-impresionat-cu-gloria-10857861 Apără Cojocaru zici că-i Tătărușanu! :) La doar 17 ani, tânărul portar a impresionat cu Gloria
  5. ^ "Familia sport » De la fondare, Hagi a adus la gruparea constănțeană o mulțime de fotbaliști ai căror tați, unchi sau rude apropiate au fost sportivi de performanță" [The sport family »Since founding, Hagi brought to the team from Constanta a lot of footballers whose fathers, uncles or close relatives were performance athletes] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 30 July 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  6. ^ Mihaitalazarica (1 September 2016). "FC Crotone: nuovi arrivi e definizione mercato" (in Italian). Crotone. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  7. ^ Mihaitalazarica (26 January 2017). "COJOCARU È UN NUOVO CALCIATORE DEL FROSINONE" (in Italian). Frosinone. Archived from the original on 11 April 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  8. ^ Mihaiatalazarica (7 September 2017). "Valentin Cojocaru μέχρι το 2019!" (in Greek). Apollon Limassol. Archived from the original on 12 April 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
  9. ^ Mihaitalazarica (22 January 2018). "Λύση συνεργασίας με Κοτζοκάρου" (in Greek). Apollon Limassol. Archived from the original on 12 April 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  10. ^ Mihaitalazarica (24 January 2018). "VIDEO - Bine ai venit, Valentin Cojocaru !" (in Romanian). Viitorul Constanța. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  11. ^ Mihaitalazarica (24 January 2020). "BUN VENIT, VALENTIN COJOCARU!" (in Romanian). Voluntari. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  12. ^ "ОФІЦІЙНО: ВАЛЕНТІН КОЖОКАРУ – ГРАВЕЦЬ СК "ДНІПРО-1"" (in Ukrainian). SC Dnipro-1. 5 July 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  13. ^ "Кожокару поїхав до Нідерландів" (in Ukrainian). 18 March 2022.
  14. ^ "Valentin Cojocaru wykupiony przez Pogoń!" (in Polish). Pogoń Szczecin. 5 April 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  15. ^ "Keșeru, convocat pentru meciul cu Polonia". frf.ro. 4 November 2016. Archived from the original on 12 July 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  16. ^ Honeyman, Sam (25 May 2022). "Roma 1–0 Feyenoord: Zaniolo strike wins the first Europa Conference League final". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentin_Cojocaru
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