Dorin Rotariu


Dorin Rotariu is a Romanian professional footballer who plays for Kazakh club Astana. He operates primarily as a winger, but is also comfortable as a second striker.
A youth exponent of Politehnica Timișoara, Rotariu established himself as a first-team regular for Dinamo București since joining them at the age of 17. He amassed over 120 league appearances for "the Red Dogs", and in early 2017 earned a move abroad to Belgian side Club Brugge. Following loans at Mouscron and AZ Alkmaar, Rotariu was transferred to Kazakh team Astana in February 2019.

Club career

Early years / Dinamo București

Rotariu played as a youngster for FC Politehnica Timișoara's academy, and in September 2012 was loaned to top-flight club Dinamo București. Several other teams had previously wished to sign him, including ACS Poli Timișoara—the supposed successor of FC Politehnica which was dissolved during the same month of the player's transfer. Rotariu chose to join Dinamo București in order to play alongside teammates from the national under-19 squad. He stayed with the reserve team before making his Liga I debut against Concordia Chiajna in March 2013, aged only 17 years and eight months.
After his loan expired in the summer of 2013, Dinamo București reached a full transfer agreement with the owner of the defunct FC Politehnica society, Marian Iancu, despite interest from fellow league side FC Vaslui. Rotariu was signed as a free agent, but the capital-based club promised to pay 50% of a future transfer fee to the businessman. On the eve of his 18th birthday, Rotariu recorded his first goal in a match against FC Vaslui, which ended 2–0. On 11 August 2013, he netted in a derby against FC Steaua București. Twelve days later, he scored again in a 6–0 victory over Universitatea Cluj.
Rotariu was the most efficient young player in the first part of the 2016–17 Liga I campaign, having scored six goals and offering one assist.

Club Brugge

On 31 January 2017, the last day of the winter transfer window in Belgium, it was announced that Rotariu signed a three-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee with defending champions Club Brugge. He made his Belgian Pro League debut five days later, entering the pitch as an 80th-minute substitute in a 1–0 home victory over Charleroi at the Jan Breydel Stadium. His first goal came in a 2–1 home success over Zulte Waregem, on 1 May.
Rotariu agreed to a season-long loan deal with Royal Excel Mouscron on 31 August 2017, rejoining his former Dinamo București coach Mircea Rednic. He recorded his first goals in a Belgian Cup match with Tubize on 20 September, netting twice in the 3–1 win. Rotariu was again loaned for the following campaign, this time to Dutch club AZ Alkmaar.

Astana

After a move to 2. Bundesliga side Arminia Bielefeld fell through, Kazakh team FC Astana announced the transfer of Rotariu on a four-year contract on 26 February 2019. He made his competitive debut on 3 March, as Astana won 2–0 over Kairat in the Kazakhstan Super Cup.

International career

Rotariu was called up to the senior Romania squad to face Montenegro in September 2016. He earned his first cap on 8 October in a 5–0 win over Armenia, replacing Alexandru Chipciu in the 67th minute. Rotariu scored his first goal for the full side on 27 March 2018, coming on as a 53rd-minute substitute for Alexandru Mitriță and netting the only goal in the friendly against Sweden.

Style of play

, Rotariu's coach at the under-21 national team, said that ball control is the player's best quality, and that he advances well while looking for spaces.

Personal life

Rotariu's father Ilie has an identical twin, named Iosif. The latter has also played professional football for Politehnica Timișoara, Steaua București and Galatasaray among others.

Career statistics

Club

International

International goals

No.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition
127 March 2018Ion Oblemenco, Craiova, Romania51–01–0Friendly

Honours

Club

Dinamo București
Astana