Denis Drăguș

Denis Drăguș
Drăguș with Viitorul Constanța in 2017
Personal information
Full name Denis Mihai Drăguș[1]
Date of birth (1999-07-06) 6 July 1999
Place of birth Bucharest, Romania
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position Forward
Team information
Current team
 Trabzonspor
Youth career
2010–2012 Sfântul Pantelimon
2012–2014 Pro Luceafărul București
2014–2017 Gheorghe Hagi Academy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2019 Viitorul Constanța 46 (8)
2019–2024 Standard Liège 55 (11)
2020–2021 → Crotone (loan) 9 (0)
2023 → Genoa (loan) 5 (0)
2023–2024 → Gaziantep (loan) 32 (14)
2024– Trabzonspor 18 (2)
2025–2026 → Eyüpspor (loan) 12 (0)
2026 → Gaziantep (loan) 11 (0)
International career‡
2016 Romania U18 3 (0)
2018 Romania U19 3 (0)
2018–2020 Romania U21 8 (2)
2018– Romania 28 (7)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 1 May 2026
‡ National team caps and goals as of 6 June 2026

Denis Mihai Drăguș (Romanian pronunciation: [ˈdenis miˈhaj drəˈguʃ]; born 6 July 1999) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Süper Lig club Trabzonspor and the Romania national team.

Drăguș began his senior career at Viitorul Constanța, before moving abroad to Standard Liège in 2019. After five years under contract at the Belgian club, which included several loan spells in Italy and Turkey, he transferred to Trabzonspor in 2024.

Internationally, Drăguș recorded his full debut for Romania in September 2018, in a 2–2 draw with Serbia. He represented his country in the UEFA Euro 2024, achieving first place in their group and advancing to the round of 16.

Club career

Viitorul Constanța

Born in Bucharest, Drăguș joined the academy of Viitorul Constanța in 2014. He made his senior debut for the club on 29 October 2015, aged 16, coming on as a 85th-minute substitute for Adnan Aganović in a 1–0 Cupa României win over Botoșani.

Drăguș recorded his debut in European competitions on 24 August 2017, replacing George Țucudean in the 24th minute of a 0–4 away loss to Red Bull Salzburg counting for the UEFA Europa League play-off round.[2] Three days later, he played his first Liga I game, also coming off the bench in a 1–2 loss to Concordia Chiajna.[3]

On 28 November 2017, Drăguș scored his first career goal in a 2–3 away defeat to Botoșani in the national cup. He netted his first Europa League goal on 12 July 2018, opening a 2–0 away victory over Racing FC in the first qualifying round.[4] On the 26th that month, he scored both goals in a 2–2 second qualifying round draw with Vitesse,[5] and one week later scored again in a 1–3 away loss at the GelreDome.[6]

Drăguș became a regular starter at Viitorul Constanța in the 2018–19 season, during which he amassed 31 matches and seven goals in the league championship.

Standard Liège

On 7 August 2019, Drăguș joined Belgian team Standard Liège in a deal reportedly worth €2 million plus 30% interest on a future transfer.[7][8] He recorded his debut for Les Rouches on 1 September 2019, in a 0–1 loss to rivals Anderlecht at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium.

On 15 September 2020, Drăguș agreed to a one-season loan with an option to buy at Crotone.[9] He made his Serie A debut five days later, in a 4–1 defeat to Genoa. Drăguș made a total of nine appearances during his time in Italy, starting only once. Upon his return to Liège, he netted his first goal for Standard in a 5–2 loss to Antwerp on 8 August 2021.

On 16 January 2022, Drăguș scored an 89th-minute equaliser in a 1–1 draw at Anderlecht.[10] He achieved his highest goal tally at Standard in the 2021–22 campaign, amassing six goals from 28 league appearances. Drăguș moved on loan with an option to buy to Serie B club Genoa on 26 January 2023, but appeared sparringly during his five months at the club.[11]

On 13 September 2023, amid rumours of a transfer to Rapid București in his home country,[12] Standard sent Drăguș on a season-long loan to Süper Lig team Gaziantep.[13][14] Deployed as a main striker by his coach and compatriot Marius Șumudică, he played 32 games and scored 14 goals in the national championship.[15]

Trabzonspor

On 25 June 2024, Turkish side Trabzonspor announced the signing of Drăguș for a rumoured transfer fee of €1.7 million.[16] He registered his debut on 25 July, in a 2–0 away win over Ružomberok in the Europa League second qualifying round,[17] and one week later scored the only goal of the second leg.[18]

Drăguș scored his first Süper Lig goal for Trabzonspor on 30 November 2024, opening the scoring in the eighth minute of a 1–2 away defeat to Alanyaspor.[19] On 6 April 2025, on his first start of the year, he scored in a 1–4 league defeat to Fenerbahçe.[20]

On 18 July 2025, following an unconvincing debut campaign at Trabzonspor, Drăguș joined fellow Süper Lig side Eyüpspor on a one-year loan deal.[21] After making twelve appearances without scoring, his loan was terminated early. He then returned to Gaziantep on a short-term loan for the remainder of the season, scoring two goals in twelve appearances in all competitions.

In August 2026, Trabzonspor president Ertuğrul Doğan announced that Drăguș was no longer part of the club's plans, amid reports linking him with a move to Romanian team FCSB.[22]

International career

Drăguș made his senior debut for the Romania national team on 10 September 2018, appearing in a 2–2 UEFA Nations League draw with Serbia. The following year, he was set to represent the under-21 side at the 2019 European Championship, but was ruled out due to a calcaneus fracture.[23]

Drăguș scored his first senior international goal on 17 November 2022, in a 1–2 friendly defeat to Slovenia at Cluj Arena,[24] and three days later added another in a 5–0 win away to Moldova.

In June 2024, Drăguș was named in Romania's squad for Euro 2024.[25] At the tournament, he scored in the 3–0 victory over Ukraine in their opening group match, helping secure the country's first European Championship win in 24 years.[26] He featured in all four of Romania's matches, as the team topped its group before being eliminated by the Netherlands in the round of 16.[27]

In 2025, Drăguș was involved in Romania's 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, notably scoring twice in the opening 20 minutes of a 2–2 draw with Cyprus on 9 September,[28] and being sent off one minute after coming on as a substitute in a 3–1 defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina on 15 November.[29][30] Romania ultimately finished third in their group but advanced to the second round via their Nations League ranking,[31] where they were eliminated by Turkey.

Style of play

Drăguș is a dynamic and versatile forward, beginning his career as a winger but also performing proficiently as a main striker.[15][32] According to his Trabzonspor coach Şenol Güneş, he possesses a combination of talent, physical strength, and speed, which makes him a constant threat to opposing defences. Güneş also noted that while Drăguș excels in one-on-one situations and frequently finds himself in goalscoring opportunities, his finishing can be inconsistent.[33]

Personal life

Drăguș's father, Mihai, was also a professional footballer, playing in Romania, South Korea and Russia.[34] Drăguș and his wife, Vanessa, have two children. They have been together since childhood and married in Ciolpani on 10 July 2024, with national teammate Marius Marin as their godfather. The couple has also been noted for acting as godparents to and providing financial support for several orphaned and abandoned children.[35][36]

Drăguș was estranged from his parents for five years, reportedly following their initial disapproval of his decision to start a family at a young age. His parents were absent from his wedding in 2024, but the estrangement ended in November 2024 when they attended Romania's 4–1 victory over Cyprus at the Arena Națională and reconciled with their son.[37]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 1 May 2026[38]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Viitorul Constanța 2015–16 Liga I 0 0 1 0 — — 1 0
2017–18 Liga I 14 1 1 1 1[b] 0 — 16 2
2018–19 Liga I 31 7 3 0 4[b] 4 — 38 11
2019–20 Liga I 1 0 — 1[b] 0 — 2 0
Total 46 8 5 1 6 4 — 57 13
Standard Liège 2019–20 Belgian First Division A 2 0 2 0 0 0 — 4 0
2021–22 Belgian First Division A 28 6 2 0 — — 30 6
2022–23 Belgian First Division A 19 4 2 0 — — 21 4
2023–24 Belgian First Division A 6 1 — — — 6 1
Total 55 11 6 0 0 0 — 61 11
Crotone (loan) 2020–21 Serie A 9 0 0 0 — — 9 0
Genoa (loan) 2022–23 Serie B 5 0 — — — 5 0
Gaziantep (loan) 2023–24 Süper Lig 32 14 3 1 — — 35 15
Trabzonspor 2024–25 Süper Lig 182206[c]1—263
Eyüpspor (loan) 2025–26 Süper Lig 12000——120
Gaziantep (loan) 2025–26 Süper Lig 11 0 1 2 — — 12 2
Career total 188 35 17 4 12 5 — 217 44
  1. ↑ Includes Cupa României, Belgian Cup, Turkish Cup
  2. 1 2 3 Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
  3. ↑ Four appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League, two appearances in UEFA Conference League

International

As of match played 6 June 2026[39]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Romania 201820
202232
202330
2024123
202572
202610
Total287
Scores and results list Romania's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Drăguș goal.[39]
List of international goals scored by Denis Drăguș
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1.17 November 2022Cluj Arena, Cluj-Napoca, Romania Slovenia1–21–2Friendly
2.20 November 2022Zimbru Stadium, Chișinău, Moldova Moldova2–05–0
3.17 June 2024Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany Ukraine3–03–0UEFA Euro 2024
4.6 September 2024Fadil Vokrri Stadium, Pristina, Kosovo Kosovo3–03–02024–25 UEFA Nations League C
5.15 October 2024Darius and Girėnas Stadium, Kaunas, Lithuania Lithuania2–12–1
6.9 September 2025GSP Stadium, Nicosia, Cyprus Cyprus1–02–22026 FIFA World Cup qualification
7.2–0

Honours

Viitorul Constanța[38]

Trabzonspor[38]

References

  1. ↑ "Denis Mihai Dragus". Turkish Football Federation. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  2. ↑ "Salzburg - Viitorul Constanța 4–0". UEFA. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  3. ↑ "Denis Drăguş, al 31-lea jucător al Academiei Hagi care a debutat în Liga 1 cu FC Viitorul (galerie foto)" [Denis Drăguș, the 31st player of the Hagi Academy who made his debut in Liga 1 with FC Viitorul (photo gallery)] (in Romanian). Ziarul de Constanța. 29 August 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  4. ↑ "Racing Union - Viitorul Constanța 0–2". UEFA. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  5. ↑ "Viitorul Constanța - Vitesse 2–2". UEFA. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  6. ↑ "Vitesse - Viitorul Constanța 3–1". UEFA. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  7. ↑ "Denis DRAGUS rejoint les Rouches" [Denis DRĂGUȘ joins the Reds] (in French). Standard Liège. 7 August 2019.
  8. ↑ "VIDEO + FOTO Denis Drăguș a fost prezentat OFICIAL la Standard Liege! Cum au anunțat belgienii transferul" [VIDEO + PHOTO Denis Drăguș was OFFICIALLY presented at Standard Liège! How the Belgians announced the transfer]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 7 August 2019.
  9. ↑ "Dragus è del Crotone. Benvenuto Denis!" [Drăguș is of Crotone. Welcome Denis!] (in Italian). FC Crotone. 14 September 2020.
  10. ↑ "Denis Drăguș, gol crucial pentru Standard Liege în meciul cu Anderlecht" [Denis Drăguș, crucial goal for Standard Liège in the match against Anderlecht] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 16 January 2022.
  11. ↑ "DENIS DRAGUSIN E' UN GIOCATORE DEL GENOA" [DENIS DRĂGUȘ IS A GENOA PLAYER] (in Italian). Genoa C.F.C. 26 January 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  12. ↑ "EXCLUSIV Denis Drăguș, la cel mai bun sezon din carieră: cum l-a descris pe Marius Șumudică, de ce a refuzat Rapidul și două predicții" [EXCLUSIVE Denis Drăguș, during the peak season of his career: how he characterised Marius Șumudică, why he rejected Rapid, and two predictions] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 12 February 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  13. ↑ "Transfer| Denis Dragus Gazìantep'te!" [Transfer| Denis Drăguș in Gaziantep!] (in Turkish). Gaziantep FK. 13 September 2023.
  14. ↑ "Denis Dragus en prêt au Gaziantep FK" [Denis Drăguș on loan to Gaziantep FK] (in French). Standard Liège. 13 September 2023.
  15. 1 2 "Marius Șumudică îi ia apărarea lui Denis Drăguș și îl distruge pe unul dintre atacanții lui Edi Iordănescu: "Niciodată nu cred că ar putea fi o soluție înaintea lui"" [Marius Șumudică defends Denis Drăguș and destroys one of Edi Iordănescu's strikers: "I don't think he could ever be a solution before him"] (in Romanian). ProSport. 28 March 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024. If Drăguș scored 13 goals in Turkey as a centre-forward, wouldn't it have been better to deploy him in that position against Northern Ireland?
  16. ↑ "Turcii au răbufnit după ce Denis Drăguș a fost prezentat oficial la noua sa echipă" [The Turks roared after Denis Drăguș was officially presented by his new team] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 25 June 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  17. ↑ "Ružomberok - Trabzonspor 0–2". UEFA. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  18. ↑ "Trabzonspor - Ružomberok 1–0". UEFA. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  19. ↑ "Drăguș, la prima reuşită în campionat pentru Trabzonspor! Filmul golului" [Drăguș, first league goal for Trabzonspor! The goal's build-up] (in Romanian). Gazeta Sporturilor. 30 November 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  20. ↑ "Denis Drăguș, gol contra lui Fenerbahce la prima titularizare din 2025!" [Denis Drăguș, goal against Fenerbahçe on his first start of the year!] (in Romanian). Sport.ro. 6 April 2025. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  21. ↑ "Denis Drăguș a semnat! "Este o echipă puternică"" [Denis Drăguș has signed! "It is a strong team"] (in Romanian). Prima Sport. 18 July 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  22. ↑ "Denis Drăguș, cale liberă spre FCSB! Anunț oficial făcut de președintele lui Trabzonspor: "I-am dat permisiunea"" [Denis Drăguș, clear path to FCSB! Official announcement made by the president of Trabzonspor: "We gave him permission"] (in Romanian). Golazo.ro. 13 August 2026. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  23. ↑ "Denis Drăguș a suferit o fractură și ratează EURO U21" [Denis Drăguș sustained a fracture and misses the EURO U21]. România Liberă (in Romanian). 15 June 2019.
  24. ↑ "Romania 1–2 Slovenia". ESPN. 17 November 2022.
  25. ↑ "Lotul României pentru EURO 2024" [Romania's squad for EURO 2024] (in Romanian). Romanian Football Federation. 7 June 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  26. ↑ Matar, Daniella (17 June 2024). "Romania earns first Euros win in 24 years while Ukraine apologizes for 3-0 loss". AP News.
  27. ↑ "Romania 0–3 Netherlands: Donyell Malen and Cody Gakpo score as Dutch reach quarters". BBC. 2 July 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  28. ↑ "Cyprus vs Romania 2-2". www.fifa.com. 9 September 2025. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  29. ↑ McNeil, Tom (15 November 2025). "Bosnia & Herzegovina roar back to down Romania 3-1 in World Cup qualifying | FlashscoreUSA.com". www.flashscoreusa.com. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  30. ↑ "Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Romania 3-1". www.fifa.com. 15 November 2025. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  31. ↑ "UEFA Standings | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers". www.fifa.com. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  32. ↑ "EXCLUSIV "Unde îți place să joci mai mult? Vârf sau extremă?" Denis Drăguș a elucidat misterul" [EXCLUSIVE "Where do you like to play better? Striker or winger?" Denis Drăguș has clarified the mystery] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 5 July 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  33. ↑ "Antrenorul lui Trabzonspor și-a pierdut răbdarea cu Denis Drăguș și i-a transmis un avertisment public" [Trabzonspor's coach lost patience with Denis Draguș and sent him a public warning] (in Romanian). Sport.ro. 20 September 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  34. ↑ "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 sports families » Since its founding, Hagi has brought to the Constanța team many footballers whose fathers, uncles or close relatives were athletes]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 30 July 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  35. ↑ "Denis Drăguș a devenit tată! Fotbalistul lui Crotone e în al nouălea cer: "Micuța noastră iubire!" Iubita românului i-a dat pe spate pe italieni | GALERIE FOTO" [Denis Drăguș has become a father! Crotone's footballer is in the ninth heaven: "Our little love!" The Romanian's girlfriend amazed the Italians | PHOTO GALLERY] (in Romanian). ProSport. 18 January 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  36. ↑ "Ce familie frumoasă are Denis Drăguș. Soția fotbalistului este o femeie superbă" [What a beautiful family Denis Drăguș has. The footballer's wife is a gorgeous woman] (in Romanian). Playtech.ro. 18 June 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  37. ↑ "Denis Drăguș s-a împăcat cu familia sa. Mesajul emoționant transmis de tatăl fotbalistului după 5 ani în care nu și-au vorbit" [Denis Drăguș has reconciled with his family. The touching message shared by the soccer player's father after five years of not speaking to each other] (in Romanian). Antena Sport. 19 November 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  38. 1 2 3 Denis Drăguș at Soccerway. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  39. 1 2 "Denis Drăguș". European Football. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
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