AFC Bournemouth
Romanian shot-stopper Andrei Radu became the latest summer arrival for AFC Bournemouth, joining for the 2023/24 campaign.
The 26-year-old arrives from Italian giants Inter Milan and has gained experience playing in the top divisions of both Italy and France.
He'll provide strong competition to the Cherries goalkeeping department, adding further international experience.
Here's five things you may not know about our new addition…
1. Accidental start to football
Radu describes his start in football as an ‘accident’ led by his grandmother, who answered an advert in a newspaper for trials at local club Viitorul București. He was only eight years old at the time and spent three years in Viitorul’s academy.
He made the move to Romanian giants Steaua București when he was 11, which caused strife in the family given Radu and his father both supported fierce rivals Dinamo București.
Radu’s father has since described needing to go around the house and clearing Dinamo memorabilia when Steaua officials came to visit.
Thankfully for the Radu family, he finally joined his beloved Dinamo in 2012, although it was only a year later that he made the move to Italy.
2. His love for his sister
Radu was only nine when his family suffered a heart-breaking tragedy, losing his 16-year-old sister Alexandra.
His elder sister, who was affectionately known as Ema, had been a national champion in dance before falling ill.
Radu keeps her memory alive and takes a t-shirt with Alexandra’s face on it to games, having promised to take her to all the big stadiums.
It ensures that she’s always with him and highlights the importance that Radu’s family has to him.
3. Romania’s number one player
The shot-stopper played a pivotal role as Romania under-21s shocked Europe by reaching the 2019 UEFA European Championships semi-final.
Radu was captain of the team and was an inspired part of the team, beating England and Croatia to reach the final four, the run only ended in agonising fashion by Germany.
In the same year, Radu had made his breakthrough for Italian side Genoa, playing 52 times for the club across two seasons on loan.
His impact was so great that he was awarded the prestigious Romanian Footballer of the Year award for 2019.
The award, known as the Nicolae Dobrin Trophy, is given by the Gazeta Sporturilor newspaper to the player adjudged to have been the best in a calendar year.
4. A hectic 2019 transfer window
Radu has a unique experience of being sold and purchased by the same club in the same window!
In 2018, Inter Milan loaned Radu to fellow Serie A side Genoa on a season-long loan with the obligation to make the deal permanent the following summer.
The transfer made Radu the most expensive goalkeeper in Romanian history and was completed in June 2019, having played 33 times in the 2018/19 season.
His performances were so good that Milan decided they didn’t want to lose him so they immediately purchased him again, allowing him to spend 2019/20 on another loan at Genoa.
5. Radu’s footballing family
The Cherries’ newest star isn’t the only person in his family to play professional football, with his cousin also making a living from the sport.
To make matters more confusing, the duo share the same name as both are called Andrei Radu.
His cousin, who is a year older, is a left-back who has represented Romania at under-21 level and currently turns out for Greek side PAS Giannina.
The senior Radu has enjoyed a fascinating career, having played for Dinamo București as well as Cypriot team Aris Limassol.
