Dorin Goian

Dorin Goian
Personal information
Full name Dorin Nicolae Goian
Date of birth (1980-12-12) 12 December 1980
Place of birth Suceava, Romania[1]
Height 1.94 m (6 ft 4 1⁄2 in)
Playing position Centre back
Youth career
Foresta Fălticeni
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–1999 Foresta II Fălticeni 14 (0)
1999–2002 Foresta Fălticeni 28 (2)
1999–2000 → Gloria Buzău (loan) 19 (0)
2002–2003 Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț 45 (2)
2003–2005 Bacău 26 (2)
2005–2009 Steaua București 107 (6)
2009–2011 Palermo 30 (1)
2011–2013 Rangers 35 (0)
2012–2013 → Spezia (loan) 26 (2)
2013–2016 Asteras Tripoli 69 (2)
Total 399 (17)
National team‡
2005–2014 Romania 60 (5)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17 April 2016.
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 7 September 2015

Dorin Nicolae Goian (born 12 December 1980 in Suceava)[2] is a Romanian former footballer who last played as a centre back for Superleague Greece club Asteras Tripoli.

Club career

Foresta Fălticeni (1997–2002)

In 1997, he signed for Foresta Fălticeni, a football club from Suceava County, where he played for the club's second team. Two years later, he was promoted to the first team. He made his first appearance in the Divizia A in 2000, when he was 20 years old in a match versus Gloria Bistriţa. It was a happy début for the young centre back, as his team won the match 2–0.

Foresta Falticeni did not manage to keep up the good work, so at the end of the season, the team was relegated to the second division and never reached the first division again.

Despite the lamentable performances of his actual team Foresta that only managed to get the tenth place in the second division, Goian was remarked by the officials of Ceahlăul Piatra Neamţ, a small team from the First Romanian Division, and he was transferred there at the middle of the season.

Marin Barbu, the coach that discovered Goian, compared him to Gulliver due to his height. He said that Goian was a simple and hard-working boy, coming from a modest family and he never had problems with him. He also said that Goian was a model player for the other kids from his generation.

During his Foresta Fălticeni years, he was also loaned to Gloria Buzău for a few months in 2000.

Ceahlăul Piatra Neamt (2002–2003)

After the 2003–04 season, Ceahlăul suffered the same fate as Foresta and were relegated to the second division. Goian, however, signed a contract with another small team from the first division, FCM Bacău.

He played for Ceahlăul Piatra Neamţ for one year, making 45 appearances and scoring two goals.

FCM Bacău (2003–2005)

In 2003, he signed with FCM Bacău and played for Bacău in 26 league games, scoring two goals. While he was playing there, Goian was called up to the Romanian national team due to his impressive league performances.

After a great half of season with Bacău (2004–05), Goian managed to impress Steaua Bucureşti's officials. At the middle of the season, he made the jump to the most important team in Romania.

Steaua Bucureşti (2005–2009)

Goian at training session with Steaua Bucharest

On 4 March 2005, Goian signed a five-year contract with Steaua Bucureşti.[3] Steaua paid €100,000 in 2005 and €1 million in 2007 for Goian, in the autumn of 2004, after five hours of negotiations with Gheorghe Chivorchian, FCM Bacău's owner. Even though he only played four games in his initial season with Steaua, Goian continued to fight for a place in the starting XI and starting with the next season (2005–06), the young centre back managed to win the trust of his coach and implicitly he became one of the irreplaceable players from the team.

Goian scored his first goal in the UEFA Cup, against Vålerenga for Steaua with a perfect header inside the box. He soon became a top scorer for Steaua in the 2005–06 UEFA Cup season after scoring against RC Lens, Halmstads BK, and also SC Heerenveen.

He scored his team's second goal in the 4–2 loss away at Middlesbrough in the UEFA Cup semi-final, when Steaua were denied qualification in the final by conceding a goal in the 89th minute (they had won the home leg 1–0 and had taken a 2–0 lead in the away game 25 minutes in).

Borussia Dortmund showed interested in acquiring a centre back and contacted Steaua for Dorin Goian on 17 June 2007. But shortly after, they withdrew and signed the Croatian Robert Kovač from Juventus instead.

In the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League season, Steaua played against Zagłębie Lubin and BATE Borisov in order to qualify in the group stage. With the help of Goian, who scored against both teams, Steaua managed to qualify in the group stage. He would then score again for Steaua against Slavia Prague, but it wasn't enough, and Steaua lost the game with 2–1.

The officials of VfB Stuttgart were impressed by Goian's performance against the Netherlands on 13 October 2007 and were willing to pay €3.8 million for him, but club owner Gigi Becali said that he will not give Goian up for at least €4.5 million. On 23 June 2008, the Stuttgart Journal announced that Steaua has lowered the price of the center back to €3 million. He was watched by Stuttgart officials at UEFA Euro 2008, where he played against France and Italy.[4]

On 17 October 2007, Le Quotidien erroneously stated that Goian will join Manchester United next winter. After "Goe" scored for Romania against the Netherlands in Euro 2008, Gigi Becali raised his price up to €5 million. At the time, however, Manchester United had several marquee centre backs on their roster, including Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidić, Mikaël Silvestre, and John O'Shea, and the move never transpired on their books.[5] Former Romanian international Adrian Ilie said that "Goian has proved to be a valuable player, he scored decisive goals in Liga I. He has the qualities to play for Manchester United, because he plays in the defensive structure and also scores goals.

Goian was captain for the first time for Steaua on 24 October 2007 against Sevilla when Nicolae Dică, the first captain, was substituted. The match ended 2–1 for Sevilla.

Another offer came in October 2007 for Goian from English side Manchester City. Rumour has it that the offer was around €10 million. This never, however, came to fruition. The Manchester United scouts had watched him during the Romania vs. Netherlands match, which was won by Romania 1–0, with the only goal scored by Goian. He was also watched by Manchester City in the UEFA Cup semi-final against Middlesbrough, where he would score again.[6]

Goian was 50% Steaua's player and also 50% FCM Bacău's player, the team from which he transferred to Steaua. There was a clause in his contract, which said that if he would be sold to a foreign club, Steaua would have to pay Bacău 50% off the transfer fee, but not more than €1 million. Gigi Becali, Steaua's owner, paid €1 million to Bacău and so Goian belonged entirely to Steaua. Becali paid the fee after the match against Slavia Prague in the UEFA Champions League group stage on 16 October 2007.[7]

Goian was the most booked player from Steaua in the 2007–08 season in Liga I, with nine yellow cards and one red card.

On 1 July 2008, Goian started a conflict with chairman Gigi Becali, saying that he wanted to leave Steaua before the beginning of the new season, but because of his high transfer fee he could not leave the club in the near future. He also mentioned that the club's officials were not taking seriously offers for him. Gigi Becali stated that he is the one who chose a player's transfer fee and that Goian would no longer be included in the first eleven in any circumstances.[8]

On 9 July 2008, Sunderland showed interest in Steaua defender Dorin Goian.[9] He was expected to sign on 12 July 2008 for an undisclosed fee and complement Nyron Nosworthy as first choice centre half. He would have replaced Jonny Evans who has returned to Manchester United after his loan expired last season but Roy Keane was not willing to pay the asking price of more than £3 million.[10]

On 4 April 2009, Goian was named captain against Gloria Bistrita, as the main captain Sorin Ghionea was injured. Although Petre Marin was the oldest player of the team, coach Marius Lacatus considered that Goian would make a better captain. The match ended with Steaua's victory, Kapetanos scoring the only goal. He scored his first goal of the 2008–09 season with a successful penalty against Oţelul Galaţi. The game ended with Steaua's victory by five goals, being their largest win this season so far.

On 30 July 2009, he captained Steaua's victory with 3–0 against Motherwell F.C. and also contributed at the first goal with a header which led to an own goal by Motherwell's Stephen Craigan. He also missed a penalty for which he was heavily criticised by chairman Gigi Becali, who decided to take him off the penalty kicker list.[11]

Goian was the most booked player from Steaua in the 2008–09 season in Liga I with 10 yellow cards and 4 in European Cups.

Palermo (2009–2011)

Goian (left) and Maccarone (right) training prior to the Europa League match against CSKA Moscow

On 6 August 2009, Palermo had showed interest in the central defender and bought him for €2m.[12] There he met up once again with his former coach, Walter Zenga, with his contract paying him €550.000 per season as salary.[12] He played his first game in a Palermo shirt in a friendly against Mallorca, of which the match ended as a 2–0 for the Spanish opposition. Goian's Serie A début came against Roma, a match in which he played the full 90 minutes.

In his first season at the club, Goian was mostly used as a covering replacement for defensive regulars Simon Kjær and Cesare Bovo. Following Kjær's departure to Steve McClaren's VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga, Goian was originally expected to achieve considerably more first team opportunities; however, he sustained a number of injuries which prevented him from doing so. Upon fully recovering and returning to the starting lineup later in March, and in doing so making his first 2011 appearance in the league, Goian scored the winning goal against league-leaders A.C. Milan; and coincidentally, it was also Goian's first Serie A league goal, as well as his first goal as Palermo player.

Rangers (2011–13)

Goian warming up for Rangers

On 25 July, Palermo agreed an undisclosed fee with Scottish Champions Rangers regarding Goian, who subsequently signed a three-year contract.[13] On 29 July, Goian received his work permit,[14] and made his Rangers debut the following day against St Johnstone in a 2–0 win, which was also his new manager Ally McCoist's first win in charge of the Glasgow-based club.[15] He was due to play his first European Champions League Qualifier for Rangers on 4 August 2011 after successfully appealing to UEFA who earlier deemed him ineligible. He unfortunately injured his hamstring and was unable to play. Goian made his Old Firm debut on 18 September 2011 in a 4–2 victory and was praised heavily by the Rangers fans. Goian quickly became a fans favourite at Rangers putting in many consistent and impressive displays. Goian formed a strong partnership with Carlos Bocanegra who also signed for the SPL Champions in the same transfer window and the pair cemented their places in the side as first choice centre backs.[16] He scored his first goal for Rangers in a 3–2 defeat to Falkirk in the Scottish League Cup on 21 September 2011.[17]

After Rangers FC went into liquidation in June 2012, the companies's assets were purchased by Charles Green's consortium including the players' contracts. After insisting he would stay no matter what, when news broke that Rangers were set to play in the Third Division, Goian had a change of heart.[18] However, he featured for Rangers in their 2–1 win against Brechin City in the Challenge Cup.[19] After the game Goian revealed he has pledged his future to the club, despite receiving other offers from clubs.[20] At the end of the 2012–13 season, Goian announces his intention to play in England in near future.[21] Eventually, Goian, along with Carlos Bocanegra was released by the club, ending his two years at the club and in total, Goian made 30 appearance; scoring once.[22] Upon his release, The Herald reports that Goian received £430,000 (€500,000), according to his agent.[23]

Spezia (2012–2013)

Goian joined Serie B club Spezia Calcio on a season-long loan in August 2012.[24] After moving to Spezia on loan, Goian vowed he would return to Rangers when his loan spell ended.[25]

He made his debut for the club, four days later after signing for the club, in a 2–1 win over Vicenza.[26] Since then, Goian became a regular in the first team. But on 17 November 2012 during a match with a 3–2 loss against Juve Stabia, Goian soon find himself in trouble after he pushed referee Maurizio Ciampi, which he was given a four match ban by the Disciplinary Committee of the Italian Professional League.[27][28] Following his suspension, the club's sporting director Nelso Ricci described Goian as his "biggest disappointment" and in addition, Goian might leave the club to make a return to Rangers in January if his loan spell at the club has been terminated.[29] After serving his four match ban and on 23 December 2012, Goian scored his first goal for the club with a header, as Spezia lose 3–2 against Padova.[30] His goal led the manager Michele Serena stated that Goian will stay at the club and will not return to Rangers.[31] His second goal came up on 6 April 2013, in a 2–1 win over Grosseto. However, Goian would lose his first team place at Spenzia towards the end of the season.[32]

Asteras Tripoli

After his release from Rangers, Scottish reports claims that Goian is close of joining Greek Super League side Asteras Tripoli.[33] The move was confirmed on 21 July 2013 on a two-year contract, where Goian was greeted by fans with a flower following his move.[34] He made his debut with the club a month later at 18 August 2013 in a 3–3 home draw against PAS Giannina.

International career

Goian in action against Austria on 5 June 2012

He was selected by Victor Piturca for the Romanian national team on 16 November 2005 against Nigeria, thus being his first appearance in the national team. Goian has won 52 caps for Romania, scoring 5 times.

75% of the Romanian national team matches in the Euro 2008 qualifying stages were played with Goian on the field from the first minute.

Euro 2008

On 9 June 2008, Goian made his Euro 2008 entrance against the World Cup 2006 finalist France in a Group C match in Zürich, Switzerland. He managed to stop strikers Nicolas Anelka and Karim Benzema, helping Romania win their first point with a goalless draw against France and also gaining his 20th cap.

The second match in Group C against Italy found Goian once again playing from the first minute on the pitch. Romania managed to draw 1–1 with Italy. After a foul committed in the 73rd minute he took the ball and threw it in the air. The referee gave him a yellow card and Goian will not play in the next game against the Netherlands.

International goals

# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 7 October 2006 Stadionul Steaua, Bucharest, Romania  Belarus 3–1 3–1 UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying
2 12 September 2007 RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne, Germany  Germany 0–1 3–1 Friendly
3 13 October 2007 Stadionul Farul, Constanța, Romania  Netherlands 1–0 1–0 UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying
4 11 October 2008 Stadionul Farul, Constanța, Romania  France 2–0 2–2 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
5 19 November 2008 Stadionul Dinamo, Bucharest, Romania  Georgia 2–1 2–1 Friendly
Correct as of 11 November 2011

Career statistics

As of 17 April 2016
Club Season League Cup Europe Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Foresta II Fălticeni 1997–1998 14 0 0 0 0 0 14 0
Total 14 0 0 0 0 0 14 0
Foresta Suceava 1999–2000 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Total 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Gloria Buzău (loan) 1999–2000 19 0 0 0 0 0 19 0
Total 19 0 0 0 0 0 19 0
Foresta Suceava 2000–01 15 0 0 0 0 0 15 0
2001–02 11 2 0 0 0 0 11 2
Total 26 2 0 0 0 0 26 2
Ceahlăul 2001–02 9 0 0 0 0 0 9 0
2002–03 23 2 0 0 0 0 23 2
2003–04 13 0 1 0 2 1 16 1
Total 45 2 1 0 2 1 48 3
FCM Bacău 2003–04 12 0 0 0 0 0 12 0
2004–05 14 2 2 0 0 0 16 2
Total 26 2 2 0 0 0 28 2
Steaua Bucureşti
2004–05 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
2005–06 24 2 1 0 14 5 39 7
2006–07 28 1 3 0 11 0 42 1
2007–08 23 2 0 0 8 3 33 5
2008–09 27 1 0 0 7 1 34 2
2009–10 1 0 0 0 3 0 4 0
Total 107 6 4 0 43 9 154 15
Palermo 2009–10 14 0 0 0 0 0 14 0
2010–11 16 1 3 0 3 0 22 1
Total 30 1 3 0 3 0 36 1
Rangers 2011–12 33 0 3 1 2 0 38 1
2012–13 2 0 2 0 0 0 3 0
Total 35 0 5 1 2 0 42 1
Spezia Calcio (loan) 2012–13 26 2 0 0 0 0 26 2
Total 26 2 0 0 0 0 26 2
Asteras Tripoli 2013–14 29 1 2 0 1 0 32 1
2014–15 27 1 3 1 9 1 39 3
2015–16 13 0 2 0 3 0 18 0
Total 69 2 7 1 13 1 89 4
Career Totals 399 17 22 2 63 12 484 31

Honours

Club

Steaua Bucureşti
Palermo

Personal life

On 23 October 2006, he became a father for the first time. His wife, Nadia, gave birth to a girl, who they named Maya Maria, since 7 January 2010 he has a son too, who was named Nectarie Matei.

Dorin's brother, Lucian, is also a professional footballer who plays for Perth Glory.[35]

References

  1. ↑ "Dorin Goian". FCSB. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
  2. ↑ "Profile of Dorin Goian". Sky Sports. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
  3. ↑ "Dorin Goian a semnat cu Steaua". FCSB (official website). 4 March 2005. Retrieved 23 September 2007.
  4. ↑ "Dorin Goian, în vizorul lui VfB Stuttgart" (in Romanian). Realitatea. Retrieved 23 June 2008.
  5. ↑ "Player Details: Dorin Goian". stanjames.com. Retrieved 15 November 2008.
  6. ↑ "Manchester City looks up Goian". ESPN Soccernet. Retrieved 12 October 2007.
  7. ↑ "Dorin Goian e 100% al Stelei" (in Romanian). Gazeta Sporturilor. Retrieved 16 October 2007.
  8. ↑ "Becali: "Goian va fi rezervă de acum încolo, îl las să plece pe cât vrea el"" (in Romanian). Gazeta Sporturilor. Retrieved 1 July 2008.
  9. ↑ "Sunderland want Romanian star Dorin Goian". London: The Sun. 12 July 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-12.
  10. ↑ Colin Young (15 July 2008). "More cash and Champions League football; two reasons Goian could choose Kiev ahead of Sunderland". The Daily Mail. London. Retrieved 21 September 2008.
  11. ↑ "Becali: "Nu el trebuia să bată!"" (in Romanian). Gazeta Sporturilor. Retrieved 31 July 2009.
  12. 1 2 "Official: Dorin Goian joins Palermo". Goal.com. Retrieved 6 August 2009.
  13. ↑ "Exclusive: Dorin Signs". rangers.co.uk (official website). Retrieved 25 July 2011.
  14. ↑ "Goian To Face Saints". rangers.co.uk (official website). Retrieved 29 July 2011.
  15. ↑ "St Johnstone 0–2 Rangers". BBC Sport. 30 July 2011. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
  16. ↑ "Unlikely Rangers heroes Carlos Bocanegra and Dorin Goian look to develop partnership". Daily Record. 23 October 2011. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  17. ↑ "Falkirk 3–2 Rangers". BBC Sport. 21 September 2011. Retrieved 22 September 2011.
  18. ↑ "Make up your mind! Goian in U-turn as defender demands to leave relegated Rangers". dailymail.co.uk. 13 July 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  19. ↑ "Ramsdens Challenge Cup: Brechin City 1 Rangers 2 (after extra time)". dailyrecord.co.uk. 29 July 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  20. ↑ "I’m Goian nowhere". thescottishsun.co.uk. 31 July 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  21. ↑ "Rangers defender Dorin Goian set for switch to England". Daily Record. 20 June 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  22. ↑ "Transfer News: Dorin Goian and Carlos Bocanegra to leave Rangers". Sky Sports. 25 June 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  23. ↑ "Early release proves rich reward for Goian". The Herald Scotland. 1 July 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  24. ↑ "Rangers: Dorin Goian leaves as Maurice Edu is linked with Stoke". BBC Sport. 21 August 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  25. ↑ "Dorin Goian: I will come back to Rangers once my loan to Spezia is up". Daily Record. 28 August 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  26. ↑ "Dorin Goian debuted at Spezia with dramatic win" [Dorin Goian a debutat la Spezia cu o victorie dramatică] (in Romanian). Gazeta Sporturilor. 26 August 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  27. ↑ "Dorin Goian, suspended four stages in Italy, because it pushed a referee" [Dorin Goian, suspendat patru etape în Italia, pentru că a îmbrâncit un arbitruf] (in Romanian). tvrnews.ro. 20 November 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  28. ↑ "Goian, 4 steps out! "Suspend when pushed hard arbitrator Spezia – Juve Stabia 2–3" [Goian, 4 etape afară! » Suspendare dură după ce la împins pe arbitru în Spezia – Juve Stabia 2–3] (in Romanian). Gazeta Sporturilor. 21 November 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  29. ↑ "Dorin Goian could return to Rangers after four-match ban leaves Spezia chiefs fuming". Daily Record. 29 November 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  30. ↑ "Goian, the first successful season! "Goe" marked, but lost at home to Padova Spezia" [Goian, la prima reuşită a sezonului! "Goe" a marcat, dar Spezia a pierdut acasă cu Padova] (in Romanian). ProSport. 23 December 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  31. ↑ "Goal with Padova saved from future Spezia: "Goian will be an important player in the second part of our season"" [Golul cu Padova i-a salvat viitorul la Spezia: "Goian va fi un jucător important al nostru în a doua parte a sezonului"] (in Romanian). Pro Sport. 25 December 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  32. ↑ "I may quit football because I feel too old, says on-loan Rangers star Dorin Goian". Daily Record. 1 January 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  33. ↑ "Goian, going, gone en route to Greece". Herald Scotland. 19 July 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  34. ↑ "Fans welcomed him with flowers »Dorin Goian signed with Asteras Tripolis" [Fanii l-au primit cu flori » Dorin Goian a semnat cu Asteras Tripolis] (in Romanian). Gazeta Sporturilor. 21 July 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  35. ↑ Walker, Mark (13 March 2012). "China is a no Go for Dorin". The Scottish Sun.

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