Denis Alibec


Denis Alibec is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Astra Giurgiu.
Alibec began his football career in Romania playing for the youth clubs of Callatis Mangalia, Steaua București and Farul Constanța, making his professional debut with the latter. In 2009, aged 18, he moved to Italy with the academy of Internazionale. After several loans, Alibec was bought by Astra Giurgiu. He became a regular starter and goalscorer, aiding the team in winning its first ever national title before rejoining FCSB in 2017. After falling out of favor at the Bucharest-based club, Alibec was transferred back to Astra.
Alibec is a full international for Romania from 2015, and played at the UEFA Euro 2016. He has previously represented the Romania's under-17, under-19 and under-21 teams.

Club career

Early years

At the age of ten, after only playing ball on the beaches of native Mangalia, Alibec chose to focus entirely on football and joined Callatis Mangalia's youth setup. He had a brief spell with Steaua București's juniors before making his senior debut on 27 September 2008 with Farul Constanța, where he managed to score two goals in 18 Liga I matches.

Internazionale

In July 2009, it was announced that Alibec signed a four-year contract with Italian club Inter Milan. On 19 May 2010, Alibec scored a goal in each half to give Inter victory over Bayern Munich in the UEFA Under-18 Challenge match, part of UEFA Grassroots Day.
Alibec made his Serie A debut on 21 November 2010, coming on as a 68th-minute substitute for Jonathan Biabiany in a 1–2 defeat to Chievo Verona. He was in rich form in the Campionato Primavera Girone B after scoring eight goals in nine games.
On 24 August 2011, Alibec was loaned to Belgian Pro League side Mechelen on a one-year deal.

Astra Giurgiu

In January 2014, Romanian top-flight club Astra Giurgiu transferred Alibec for an undisclosed fee, with the player penning a four-and-a-half-year contract. He established himself as one of the division's best players, ending the 2015–16 campaign with 33 matches and 20 goals all competitions comprised as Astra Giurgiu claimed its first-ever championship title.
On 18 August 2016, Alibec netted the equalizer in a 1–1 draw with West Ham United in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League play-off round. He then went on to make five appearances and score two goals in the group stage of that competition. His notable display throughout 2016 won him a Romanian Footballer of the Year award.

FCSB

On 5 January 2017, Alibec moved to FCSB on a five-year deal for a transfer fee in the region of €2 million. His buyout clause was set at €20 million. He scored his first competitive goal from the penalty spot in a league game against CFR Cluj on 5 February.
On 2 August 2017, Alibec scored his first European goal for the Roș-albaștrii in a UEFA Champions League third qualifying round 4–1 away win over Viktoria Plzeň. After twelve matches without goal in the 2017–18 Liga I, Alibec finally found the net on 3 February 2018, in a 2–1 away victory against Gaz Metan Mediaș.

Return to Astra Giurgiu

In July 2018, Alibec returned for a second spell at Astra Giurgiu in a transfer rumoured to be worth €1.4 million.

International career

Alibec played for Romania's under-17, under-19 and under-21 teams. On 11 October 2015, after being called up on several occasions in the past, Alibec gained his first cap for the full side in the last UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match against Faroe Islands, replacing Bogdan Stancu in the 90th minute.
In June 2016, he was picked by Anghel Iordănescu for his squad at the final tournament in France and appeared as a substitute in Romania's opening game, a 2–1 defeat to the host.

Personal life

Alibec's father and uncle, Gevrim and Gelil, are Romanian tatars and played football together for about ten years at FC Neptun in the third division.

Career statistics

Club

International

International goals

No.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition
129 May 2016Olimpico Grande Torino, Turin, Italy32–43–4Friendly

Honours

Club

Internazionale
Astra Giurgiu