Claudiu Niculescu

Claudiu Iulian Niculescu (born 23 June 1976) is a Romanian football coach and former striker, currently in charge of Liga II club Voluntari.^[1]

Claudiu Niculescu

Personal information
Full name	Claudiu Iulian Niculescu
Date of birth	(1976-06-23) 23 June 1976 (age 48)
Place of birth	Slatina, Romania
Height	1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)	Striker
Team information
Current team	Voluntari (head coach)
Youth career
1982–1994	CSȘ Slatina
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1994–1995	Jiul IELIF Craiova	29	(5)
1995–1996	Drobeta-Turnu Severin	20	(15)
1996–1997	Electroputere Craiova	48	(31)
1998–2001	Universitatea Craiova	93	(41)
2001–2002	Dinamo București	30	(20)
2002–2003	Genoa	13	(3)
2003–2007	Dinamo București	123	(69)
2008	MSV Duisburg	17	(4)
2008	Omonia	8	(1)
2009–2010	Dinamo București	38	(8)
2010–2012	Universitatea Cluj	42	(18)
Total		461	(215)
International career
2000–2007	Romania	8	(0)
Managerial career
2010	Universitatea Cluj (caretaker)
2012	Universitatea Cluj (player/coach)
2012	Bihor Oradea
2013	Damila Măciuca
2013–2014	CSM Râmnicu Vâlcea
2014–2015	Mioveni
2017–2018	Voluntari
2018	Dinamo București
2019	Al-Tai
2020	Mioveni
2021–2022	Concordia Chiajna
2022	Politehnica Iași
2022–2024	1599 Șelimbăr
2024–	Voluntari
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

"Claudiu is one of the strikers with the highest qualities I have ever met."

–José Ramón Alexanko, former Universitatea Craiova manager^[1]

Early career

Claudiu Niculescu was born in Slatina and started playing football at the youth club CSȘ Slatina, alongside Ionel Dănciulescu, Ionuț Luțu and Augustin Chiriță, being coached by Ion Pârvulescu.^[2][3][4] He started his senior career playing at Jiul IELIF Craiova in Divizia B, after which he played for one season at Drobeta-Turnu Severin in Divizia C, returning for the following one season and a half to play in Divizia B at Electroputere Craiova.^[1][2][5]

Universitatea Craiova

Niculescu made his Divizia A debut on 1 March 1998, playing for Universitatea Craiova under Spanish coach José Ramón Alexanko in a 2–1 victory against Petrolul Ploiești in which he scored one goal.^{[1][2][6][7][8]} He spent three years and a half with The Blue Lions, scoring 41 goals in 93 Divizia A matches, appearing in two games without scoring from the 2000–01 UEFA Cup, also reaching two Cupa României finals.^{[2][6][7][8][9][10]}

Dinamo București and Genoa

In 2001 he went to play for Dinamo București where in his first season he won the Divizia A title, being the second top-goalscorer of the league with 15 goals, as coaches Cornel Dinu and Marin Ion gave him 28 appearances.^[2][11][12] In 2002, shortly after scoring a spectacular goal from about 30 meters against goalkeeper Iker Casillas in a friendly which ended with a 5–2 loss against Real Madrid, Niculescu was transferred to Genoa in Serie B for a fee estimated by the Romanian press between €700.000 and €1 million.^[2][5][13] He spent only one year with The Griffin, being teammate with compatriots Adrian Mihalcea and Paul Codrea, making only 13 appearances in which he scored three goals as his stay there was affected by injuries, returning to Dinamo who agreed to pay the Genovese team €800.000 to get him back.^[2][14]

In the first season, following his return to The Red Dogs, he helped them win The Double, contributing with 16 goals scored in the 28 league matches in which he was used by coach Ioan Andone, also scoring the second goal of the 2–0 victory in front of Oțelul Galați from the Cupa României final and giving his contribution to the elimination of Shakhtar Donetsk by scoring a goal in each leg of the 5–2 victory on aggregate from the UEFA Cup.^[2][11][15] On 21 November 2004, Niculescu was in the center of a controversy when during an away game with his former team, Universitatea Craiova, a fan entered the field and threw a "U" Craiova scarf in his face, after which he screamed:"You are a stinking traitor!", shortly after, his teammate Adrian Mihalcea tackled the fan to the ground.^[16] In the 2004–05 season he scored 21 goals, including all the goals in a 4–0 with CFR Cluj, sharing with Gheorghe Bucur the top-goalscorer of Divizia A title, forming a couple in Dinamo's offence with Ionel Dănciulescu, the Romanian press calling them the "N&D couple", a nickname inspired from the first letters of their family name and the Romanian pop band "N&D".^{[2][12][6][7][8][17]} Niculescu started the following season by scoring the final goal of the 3–2 victory against rivals Steaua București which helped the team earn for the first time in its history the Supercupa României, also Andone used him in the 2005–06 UEFA Cup campaign when they eliminated Omonia Nicosia against whom he scored a goal, then they got pass Everton against whom he also scored a goal in a historical 5–2 on aggregate, reaching the group stage where he defeated goalkeeper Fabien Barthez by scoring a goal from a 20 meters free kick in a 2–1 away loss in front of Olympique Marseille.^[2][18]

In the 2006–07 season under the guidance of coach Mircea Rednic, Niculescu won another championship title with Dinamo and became the top-goalscorer of the league with 18 goals, four of these were scored in a 4–1 against rivals Rapid București and two in a 4–2 victory in a derby with Steaua București.^{[2][12][6][19]} With eight goals scored in the 2006–07 UEFA Cup, of which four were in the group stage against Beşiktaş, Club Brugge and a double in the 2–1 victory in front of Bayer Leverkusen for which he received a 10 in the Gazeta Sporturilor newspaper, Niculescu was the second best goal-scorer of the competition, having three less than Espanyol's Walter Pandiani, helping The Red Dogs reach the sixteenths-finals where they were eliminated by Benfica.^[20] In the following season, Dinamo had the objective of reaching the Champions League group stage, Niculescu playing in both legs of the third qualifying round against Lazio Roma, which however was lost with 4–2 on aggregate.^[2][21]

MSV Duisburg and Omonia

In January 2008, Niculescu was transferred by Dinamo at MSV Duisburg for 700.000€, where he was wanted by coach Rudi Bommer, being teammate with fellow Romanians Mihai Tararache and Iulian Filipescu, playing 15 Bundesliga matches in which he scored four goals against VfL Wolfsburg, VfB Stuttgart, VfL Bochum and Eintracht Frankfurt but at the end of the season he was transferred in Cyprus at Omonia for 200.000€.^[2][5][22]

Dinamo and Universitatea Cluj

In 2009 he returned for a third spell at Dinamo which lasted one year and a half, a period in which he helped the club fulfill "The wonder from Liberec" after winning with 3–0 the away game against Slovan Liberec, as the first leg was lost with the same score, qualifying after the penalty shoot-out to the group stage of the 2009–10 Europa League.^[2][23] In the summer of 2010 he went to play for Universitatea Cluj, the highlights of this period being a brace in a 4–3 victory over his former team, Dinamo, then another goal against them in a 2–1 win, also he scored a goal directly from a corner kick in a 1–1 with Astra Ploiești.^{[2][6][7][8][24]} He made his last Liga I appearance on 12 March 2012, playing for "U" Cluj in a 1–0 home loss in front of Steaua.^[2][6][7][8] Claudiu Niculescu was a striker skilled in free kicks, being nicknamed "Lunetistul" (The Sniper) by the Romanian press and he is 11th in an all-time ranking for the goalscorers in Liga I with 156 goals scored in 326 matches played, also with 43 games and 18 goals scored for Dinamo in European matches, he is the player with the most appearances and top scorer in European competitions for the club.^[2][6][7][8]

International career

Claudiu Niculescu played 8 games at international level for Romania, making his debut when coach László Bölöni sent him on the field in order to replace Marius Niculae in the 81st minute of a friendly which ended with a 2–1 victory against FR Yugoslavia.^[25][26] He also played two games at the 2006 World Cup qualifiers and one at the Euro 2008 qualifiers.^[25] Niculescu's last appearance for the national team took place on 22 August 2007 in a 2–0 home win in a friendly with Turkey.^[25]

Career statistics

International

Romania
Year	Apps	Goals
2000	1	0
2002	2	0
2005	2	0
2006	2	0
2007	1	0
Total	8	0

Coaching career

His first experience as a coach was in November 2010 for two matches at Universitatea Cluj, where he was at the same time an active player.^[27] His second experience as a coach started in March 2012 which was also at "U" Cluj and also being in the same time an active player.^[28] In 15 games under his command, the club won four games, draw in six and lost five. Niculescu resigned after the first game of the 2012–13 season, a loss 6–2 at Pandurii Târgu Jiu.^[29]

On 25 September 2012, Niculescu was installed as the head coach of Liga II team Bihor Oradea with an objective to help the team promote to the first division.^[30] In December, Niculescu ended his contract, after only eight games (two wins, three draws and three losses).^[31]

In January 2013, Niculescu took over Damila Măciuca, in Liga II.^[32]

September 2018, Niculescu was appointed coach of Dinamo București, following the dismissal of Florin Bratu. He signed a contract until 2020.^[33]

On 7 January 2021, Niculescu signed a contract with Liga II side Concordia Chiajna.^[34]

Managerial statistics

Updated as of 26 October 2024^[35]

Team	From	To	Record
			G	W	D	L	GF	GA	Win %
Universitatea Cluj (caretaker)	9 November 2010	18 November 2010	2	0	1	1	1	4	000.00
Universitatea Cluj	5 March 2012	27 July 2012	15	4	6	5	23	23	026.67
Bihor Oradea	11 September 2012	13 December 2012	11	3	4	4	18	20	027.27
Damila Măciuca	10 January 2013	29 June 2013	12	8	2	2	22	7	066.67
CSM Râmnicu Vâlcea	5 August 2013	27 April 2014	25	10	7	8	29	23	040.00
Mioveni	7 July 2014	19 October 2015	45	22	11	12	64	40	048.89
Voluntari	3 April 2017	14 April 2018	47	16	13	18	48	57	034.04
Dinamo Bucuresti	24 September 2018	13 October 2018	3	1	1	1	3	3	033.33
Al-Tai	15 June 2019	30 October 2019	11	5	1	5	13	11	045.45
Mioveni	2 March 2020	27 October 2020	17	5	7	5	11	10	029.41
Concordia Chiajna	8 January 2021	1 March 2022	31	16	9	6	35	22	051.61
Politehnica Iași	7 June 2022	10 October 2022	10	6	2	2	14	8	060.00
1599 Șelimbăr	7 November 2022	12 May 2024	43	20	13	10	52	41	046.51
Voluntari	6 June 2024	present	12	5	4	3	14	10	041.67
Total			284	121	81	82	343	279	042.61

Personal life

Claudiu Niculescu's brothers Mihai and Dragoș and his cousin Ovidiu were footballers in the Romanian lower leagues.^[3][36] His father Marin was a football coach in the Romanian lower leagues.^[3][36] In 1998 he married Lidia and they had together two kids, Alexandru and Rebecca.^[37][38] They divorced in 2006.^[37][39] In June 2007, he married Diana Munteanu who was a TV host, their wedding was considered the wedding of the year by the Romanian press.^[40] Together they had a son named David Cristian.^[40][41] Claudiu and Diana divorced in 2014.^[42]

Honours

Player

Universitatea Craiova

• Cupa României runner-up: 1997–98, 1999–2000^[9][10]

Dinamo București

• Divizia A: 2001–02, 2003–04, 2006–07^[2]
• Cupa României: 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05^[2]
• Supercupa României: 2005^[2]

Individual

• Liga I top scorer: 2004–05 (joint with Gigel Bucur), 2006–07^[2][12]

Coach

Voluntari

• Cupa României: 2016–17^[7][35]
• Supercupa României: 2017^[7][35]

References

1. "Claugol:"Pune-mi zidul şi dau şi acum gol din lovitură liberă!"" [Claugol: "Put a wall and I'm still scoring from a free kick!"] (in Romanian). Digisport.ro. 11 July 2014. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
2. Claudiu Niculescu at RomanianSoccer.ro (in Romanian)
3. "Slatina: Fraţii Niculescu se luptă cu tatăl lor pentru promovare" [Slatina: Brothers Niculescu are fighting with their father for promotion] (in Romanian). Adevarul.ro. 3 October 2009. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
4. "Antrenorul care a descoperit cuplul N&D dezvăluie: "Niculescu şi Dănciulescu erau stelişti pînă în măduva oaselor"" [The coach who discovered the N&D couple reveals: "Niculescu and Dănciulescu were Steaua fans to the bone"] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 15 March 2013. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
5. ""Am dormit un an și jumătate într-o baracă. Mergeam 15 kilometri pentru o cană cu ceai, o bucată de pâine și două felii de parizer"" ["I slept for a year and a half in a shack. I would walk 15 kilometers for a cup of tea, a piece of bread and two slices of parisier"] (in Romanian). Sport.ro. 23 June 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
6. "Claudiu Niculescu dă din casă: "Să vă zic ce a pățit un coleg în cazino"" [Claudiu Niculescu tells from the house: "Let me tell you what happened to a colleague in the casino"] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 5 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
7. "VIDEO+FOTO Claudiu Niculescu, legenda vie a lui Dinamo, împlinește azi 45 de ani! 15 borne ale unei cariere de excepție: cifre UNICE în atacul "câinilor" + momente memorabile, în teren și pe bancă" [VIDEO + PHOTO Claudiu Niculescu, the living legend of Dinamo, turns 45 today! 15 milestones of an exceptional career: UNIQUE figures in the attack of the "dogs" + memorable moments, on the field and on the bench] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 23 June 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
8. "S-a retras "Lunetistul" » 10 repere din cariera lui Claudiu Niculescu" ["The sniper" retired »10 landmarks from Claudiu Niculescu's career] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 24 September 2012.
9. "Romanian Cup – Season 1997–1998". RomanianSoccer. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
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13. "Claudiu Niculescu, la 40 de ani. "Golul cu Real, cel mai frumos!" Marele regret al fostului atacant" [Claudiu Niculescu, at 40 years old. "The goal with Real, the most beautiful!" The great regret of the former striker] (in Romanian). Digisport.ro. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
    "Claudiu Niculescu s-a transferat ieri la Genoa 1893" [Claudiu Niculescu transferred to Genoa 1893 yesterday] (in Romanian). Libertatea.ro. 30 August 2002. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
    "Niculescu a semnat cu Genoa" [Niculescu signed with Genoa] (in Romanian). Adevarul.ro. 2 September 2002. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
    "Un antrenor dinamovist a dezvăluit cum se transferau jucătorii din "Ștefan cel Mare" în 2002: "De exemplu, Claudiu Niculescu! Abia ajunsesem în București… Și seara mi s-a spus că pleacă!"" [A Dinamo coach revealed how the players from "Ștefan cel Mare" were transferred in 2002: "For example, Claudiu Niculescu! I had barely arrived in Bucharest... And in the evening I was told that he was leaving!"] (in Romanian). Prosport.ro. 26 October 2018. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
14. "Debut nefercit pentru Claudiu Niculescu" [Unlucky debut for Claudiu Niculescu] (in Romanian). Libertatea.ro. 15 September 2002. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
    ""Regret că m-am retras prea devreme!"" ["I regret retiring too early!"] (in Romanian). Click.ro. 20 September 2015. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
    "Genoa a pus ochii pe Claudiu Niculescu" [Genoa set their sights on Claudiu Niculescu] (in Romanian). Ziaruldeiasi.ro. 27 August 2002. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
    "Dinamo s-a inteles cu Genoa pentru Claudiu Niculescu" [Dinamo reached an agreement with Genoa for Claudiu Niculescu] (in Romanian). Ziaruldeiasi.ro. 19 September 2003. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
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    "Dinamo s-a îmbogăţit de pe urma ucrainenilor! A cîştigat milioane de euro şi l-a pus pe Lucescu antrenor la Şahtior" [Dinamo got rich from the Ukrainians! They won millions of euros and made Lucescu coach at Şahtior] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 16 August 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
16. "Poștașul – gest de răzbunare" [The postman – gesture of revenge] (in Romanian). Prosport.ro. 31 March 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
    "Scena fularului aruncat de "Poștașul" către Claudiu Niculescu s-a repetat după 15 ani! Fiii celor doi, implicați de data asta" [The scene of the scarf thrown by the "Postman" to Claudiu Niculescu was repeated after 15 years! The sons of the two, involved this time] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 30 November 2019. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
17. "Careu pentru "Clau-gol"!" [Which one for "Clau-gol"!] (in Romanian). Jurnalul.ro. 18 April 2005. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
    "Antrenorul care a descoperit cuplul N&D dezvăluie: "Niculescu şi Dănciulescu erau stelişti pînă în măduva oaselor"" [The coach who discovered the N&D couple reveals: "Niculescu and Dănciulescu were Steaua fans to the bone"] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 15 March 2013. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
    "EXCLUSIV VIDEO Dezvăluiri la GSP Live. Care a fost secretul faimosului cuplu N&D: "Ne simțeam, nu trebuia să vorbim, nu trebuia să ridicăm privirea"" [VIDEO EXCLUSIVE GSP Live Disclosures. What was the secret of the famous N&D couple: "We felt each other, we didn't have to talk, we didn't have to look up at each other"] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 29 April 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
    "Ce atac la CLUJ! N&D canta din nou: Danciulescu negociaza cu U Cluj!" [What an attack at CLUJ! N&D sings again: Danciulescu negotiates with U Cluj!] (in Romanian). Sport.ro. 22 July 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
18. "Dinamo invinge Steaua si castiga Supercupa Romaniei" [Dinamo defeats Steaua and wins the Romanian Supercup] (in Romanian). Hotnews.ro. 2 August 2005. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
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    "Omonia Nicosia – Dinamo 2-1 (scor final)" [Omonia Nicosia – Dinamo 2-1 (final score)] (in Romanian). Hotnews.ro. 25 August 2005. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
    "VIDEO 15 ani de la istoricul Dinamo - Everton 5-1. 3 dintre oamenii-cheie au rememorat meciul pentru GSP: "Sincer să fiu, am fost cel mai bun!"" [VIDEO 15 years since the historic Dinamo - Everton 5-1. 3 of the key people recalled the match for GSP:" To be honest, I was the best! "] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 16 September 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
    "Dinamo, la o secunda de UEFA" [Dinamo, one second away from UEFA] (in Romanian). Adevarul.ro. 16 December 2005. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
19. "Rapid 1-4 Dinamo, 4 goluri Niculescu" [Rapid 1-4 Dinamo, 4 goals Niculescu] (in Romanian). Sport.ro. 22 April 2007. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
    "Cel mai frumos derby din cariera lui Claudiu Niculescu:"Am dat două goluri"" [The most beautiful derby in Claudiu Niculescu's career:"I scored two goals"] (in Romanian). Digisport.ro. 7 April 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
20. "Claudiu Niculescu, in topul golgheterilor Cupei UEFA" [Claudiu Niculescu, in the top of the goalscorers of the UEFA Cup] (in Romanian). Evz.ro. 17 May 2007. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
    "Claudiu Niculescu - pe locul 2 in Cupa UEFA" [Claudiu Niculescu - second place in the UEFA Cup] (in Romanian). Sport.ro. 17 May 2007. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
    "Dinamo - Besiktas 2 - 1 / 86 de minute de transpiratie" [Dinamo - Besiktas 2 - 1/86 minutes of sweat] (in Romanian). Jurnalul.ro. 3 November 2006. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
    "Dinamo - meci pe teren si in avionul spre Bruges" [Dinamo - match on the field and on the plane to Bruges] (in Romanian). Ziua.ro. 4 November 2006. Archived from the original on 18 September 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
    "15 ani de la o mare victorie europeană a lui Dinamo. Eroul meciului, nostalgic: "Și acum ne mândrim cu acea performanță!"" [15 years since Dinamo's great European victory. The hero of the match, nostalgic: "Even now we are proud of that performance!"] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 29 November 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
21. ""Doar" un egal: Lazio 1 - 1 Dinamo!" ["Just" a draw: Lazio 1 - 1 Dinamo!] (in Romanian). Sport.ro. 14 August 2007. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
    "Liga Campionilor - Lazio - Dinamo 1 -1 - Ingerul cu mănuşi" [Champions League - Lazio - Dinamo 1 -1 - The angel with gloves] (in Romanian). Jurnalul.ro. 15 August 2007. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
    "Rapusi in 20 de minute" [Destroyed in 20 minutes] (in Romanian). Ziaruldeiasi.ro. 29 August 2007. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
    "Dinamo: Visul frumos s-a terminat" [Dinamo: The beautiful dream is over] (in Romanian). Evz.ro. 29 August 2007. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
    "Dezastru pentru echipa lui Rednic: Dinamo 1 - 3 Lazio" [Disaster for Rednic's team: Dinamo 1 - 3 Lazio] (in Romanian). Sport.ro. 6 December 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
22. "Claudiu Niculescu a semnat un contract pana in iunie 2009 cu MSV Duisburg" [Claudiu Niculescu signed a contract until June 2009 with MSV Duisburg] (in Romanian). Mediafax.ro. 30 January 2008. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
    "Clau-gol la Duisburg" [Clau-goal at Duisburg] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 29 January 2008. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
    "Claudiu Niculescu: "La Duisburg a fost cea mai buna experienta a mea in strainatate, dar regret ca am plecat de la Dinamo"" [Claudiu Niculescu: "Duisburg was my best experience abroad, but I regret leaving Dinamo"] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 8 December 2008. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
    "30.000 de nemti i-au scandat numele lui Claudiu Niculescu" [30.000 Germans chanted Claudiu Niculescu's name] (in Romanian). Cancan.ro. 4 February 2008. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
    "Claudiu Niculescu a semnat cu Omonia Nicosia" [Claudiu Niculescu signed with Omonia Nicosia] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 22 July 2008. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
    "Niculescu a semnat pe doi ani cu Omonia Nicosia" [Niculescu signed for two years with Omonia Nicosia] (in Romanian). Sport.ro. 24 July 2008. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
23. "Niculescu s-a întors: "Sînt fericit dar voi fi şi mai şi cînd voi semna cu echipa mea de suflet" :)" [Niculescu came back: "I am happy but I will be even more so when I sign with the team of my soul" :)] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 6 December 2008. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
    "Claudiu Niculescu a fost prezentat oficial la Dinamo si va avea numarul 99 pe tricou" [Claudiu Niculescu was officially presented at Dinamo and will have the number 99 on his shirt] (in Romanian). Adevarul.ro. 9 December 2008. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
    "Nouă ani de la "Minunea de la Liberec"! Povestea unei performanțe istorice și cum a reușit Florin Matache să intre în istorie" [Nine years since the "Miracle from Liberec"! The story of a historic performance and how Florin Matache managed to make history] (in Romanian). Prosport.ro. 27 August 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
24. "Claudiu Niculescu s-a transferat la "U" Cluj" [Claudiu Niculescu transferred to "U" Cluj] (in Romanian). Antena3.ro. 21 July 2010. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
    "Claudiu Niculescu a plâns după ce a bătut Dinamo" [Claudiu Niculescu cried after defeating Dinamo] (in Romanian). Libertatea.ro. 28 August 2010. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
    "După ce a dat o «dublă» în tur, Niculescu a marcat din nou împotriva lui Dinamo" [After scoring a "double" in the round, Niculescu scored again against Dinamo] (in Romanian). Libertatea.ro. 1 April 2011. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
    ""Clau-gol" a executat Astra direct din corner" ["Clau-gol" executed Astra directly from the corner] (in Romanian). Adevarul.ro. 2 May 2011. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
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29. "Niculescu a demisionat de la U Cluj: "Am fost jignit"" (in Romanian). gsp.ro. 23 July 2012.
30. "Claudiu Niculescu a ajuns la Oradea şi a condus primul antrenament la FC Bihor" (in Romanian). fcbihor.ro. 25 September 2012.
31. "FC Bihor s-a despărţit de antrenorul Claudiu Niculescu" (in Romanian). fcbihor.ro. 13 December 2012.
32. "Claudiu Niculescu, antrenor principal" (in Romanian). fcdamila.ro. 3 January 2013. Archived from the original on 16 April 2013.
33. Apostol, Eduard; Gafiuc, Justin; Vrînceanu, Victor (23 September 2018). "GALERIE FOTO OFICIAL Niculescu a semnat cu Dinamo! Staff-ul noului antrenor, detaliile contractului, imagini de la RIN". Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). Retrieved 1 October 2018.
34. "Bun venit, Claudiu Niculescu". csconcordia.ro (in Romanian). 8 January 2021.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
35. Claudiu Niculescu at Soccerway
36. "Fraţii lui Niculescu din Liga a III-a: "Claudiu, hai acasă!"" [Niculescu's brothers from the Third League: "Claudiu, come home!"] (in Romanian). Click.ro. 2 October 2009. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
37. "Iată ce frumoasă s-a făcut Lidia, fosta soţie a lui Claudiu Niculescu!" [Look how beautiful is Lidia, Claudiu Niculescu's ex-wife!] (in Romanian). Libertatea.ro. 26 December 2010. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
38. "Claudiu Niculescu, parasit de sotie" [Claudiu Niculescu, left by his wife] (in Romanian). Jurnalul.antena3.ro. 12 February 2004. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
39. "EXCLUSIV Fosta soție a lui Claudiu Niculescu face eforturi uriașe ca să-şi poată creşte copiii" [EXCLUSIVE The former wife of Claudiu Niculescu makes huge efforts to raise her children] (in Romanian). Click.ro. 23 January 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
40. "Totul despre relaţia şi căsnicia dintre Claudiu şi Diana Niculescu" [Everything about the relationship and marriage between Claudiu and Diana Niculescu] (in Romanian). Click.ro. 16 September 2014. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
41. "S-au înţeles în privinţa copilului, nu şi la bani. Diana Munteanu și Claudiu Niculescu au probleme în a împărți averea EXCLUSIV" [They agreed upon the child, but upon not the money. Diana Munteanu and Claudiu Niculescu have trouble splitting their wealth EXCLUSIVELY] (in Romanian). Click.ro. 5 July 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
42. "Claudiu Niculescu, despre despărţirea de Diana Munteanu: "Am divorţat pentru că..."" [Claudiu Niculescu, about the separation from Diana Munteanu: "We divorced because ..."] (in Romanian). Apropotv.ro. 12 February 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2019.

External links

• Claudiu Niculescu at National-Football-Teams.com
• Claudiu Niculescu at WorldFootball.net
• Claudiu Niculescu at Soccerway