Biography
Who is Ștefan Radu?
Early life and career beginnings
Born on October 22, 1986, in Bucharest, Romania, Ștefan Radu grew up in the Colentina neighborhood. He began his professional path in his home country with the club FC Dinamo Bucharest. He made his official debut in the top tier of Romanian football, Liga I, on April 27, 2005, during a match against FCM Bacău under the guidance of coach Ioan Andone.
Under coach Mircea Rednic, he became a regular member of the starting lineup during the 2006–07 season. During this time, he formed a central defensive partnership with teammate Cosmin Moți. This pairing helped the team secure the Liga I trophy that year. Also, the club competed in the 2006–07 UEFA Cup, eventually reaching the round of 32 before being eliminated by the Portuguese team Benfica.
Professional tenure at Lazio
In January 2008, the Italian Serie A side SS Lazio signed the defender on an initial loan deal worth €1 million. He quickly established himself as a valuable member of the backline under coach Delio Rossi. Following his successful loan spell, the club signed him to a permanent contract for a transfer fee of €3.5 million.
Throughout his long career in Italy, he became a central figure for the team. He earned the captaincy for the 2011–12 season and signed a five-year contract extension in June 2011. His trophy haul with the club includes three Coppa Italia titles, won in the 2008–09, 2012–13, and 2018–19 seasons. He also helped the squad secure the Supercoppa Italiana three times, in 2009, 2017, and 2019. By the time he retired, he had made 427 total appearances for the club, which remains the record for the most games played by any individual in the team's history.
International football and recognition
He registered his senior debut for the Romania national team on November 15, 2006, in a friendly match against Spain. Over the next several years, he represented his country in various competitions, including qualifiers for the 2008 UEFA European Championship and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He played a total of thirteen matches for the national team before ending his international career in 2013.
In recognition of his contributions to the sport, he received a state honor in March 2008. The President of Romania awarded him the Medalia Meritul Sportiv, which translates to the Medal for Sportive Merit, for his role in the national team's successful qualifying campaign for the 2008 European tournament.
Physical attributes and personal facts
Standing at 183 centimeters tall, he operated as either a left-back or a centre-back throughout his professional career. Beyond his on-field performance, he has occasionally been involved in public incidents. For example, he was accused of wearing a stylized hoodie in April 2024 that some observers linked to far-right extremist imagery, though he did not comment on the controversy.
He retired from professional football following the conclusion of the 2022–23 season. His legacy remains defined by his loyalty to SS Lazio, where he spent the vast majority of his playing years.
Birthday and age
Ștefan Radu was born on October 22, 1986, which makes Ștefan 40 years old today. That birthday falls under the Libra sign. Ștefan shares the date with 59 other famous people.
Explore more
