“In Romania this perception still exists”

The footballer, rated at €1.5 million by Transfermarkt, claims he has adapted to the Russian cold and appreciates the lifestyle he has found in the city of Tolyatti.

Ionuț Nedelcearu spoke about life in Russia: “The climate has changed”

“It's OK, the climate has changed, it's not quite as cold as it used to be. I got used to it, but I pretty much knew what to expect. I had been in Russia for two and a half years before, so there was nothing surprising for me.

I speak Russian, not very fluently, but as much as I can manage, that's why I've also been meditating since I came back, since February. I got a teacher and I do weekly meditations to learn, Ionuț Nedelcearu told Sport.ro.

The central defender is not new to Russian football. Nedelcearu developing, between 2018 and 2020, for FC Ufa.

Ionuț Nedelcearu, on how he is viewed in Russia: “In Romania there is this perception”

Ionuț Nedelcearu also revealed how you are viewed as a Romanian in Russia.

“I am viewed as normal. In Romania, there is still this perception that the Russians are cold people, that they don't really see that we are pro-Europe, but nothing happened to me, they treated me absolutely normally, they took care of me.

The coach also said that he doesn't care where the players come from and what nationality they are as long as they perform on the field. This was exactly his speech before making me captain”, explained the Romanian.

Before I went to Russia, there were negotiations with Dinamo, it was the first choice, where afterwards I had regret and pain that I did not return to Dinamo, there was no financial problem, from their side, they offered me very good conditions.

But this offer from Russia intervened and I said to take the course, because the life of a footballer is short and I thought more about the future of the family.

– Ionuț Nedelcearu

Ionuț Nedelcearu has 27 selections for the Romanian national team. He managed to score 2 goals for the “tricolors”.