Iurie Iovu (born 6 July 2002) is a Moldovan professional footballer who plays as a defender for Scottish Premiership club Dundee United and the Moldova national team.

Iurie Iovu
Personal information
Date of birth (2002-07-06) 6 July 2002 (age 23)
Place of birth Chișinău, Moldova
Height 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)
Position Defender
Team information
Current team
Dundee United
Number 4
Youth career
–2018 Zimbru Chișinău
2018–2022 Cagliari
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022 Cagliari 0 (0)
2022–2023 Venezia 0 (0)
2022–2023Istra 1961 (loan) 0 (0)
2023–2025 Istra 1961 24 (0)
2025Alavés B (loan) 12 (0)
2025– Dundee United 27 (0)
International career
2018 Moldova U17 3 (0)
2021–2024 Moldova U21 18 (1)
2021– Moldova 4 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 19:48, 23 February 2026 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 19 November 2024

Club career

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He was raised in the system of Cagliari and began receiving call-ups to their senior squad in early 2022. He remained on the bench on all those occasions.[1]

On 31 August 2022, Iovu signed a two-year contract with Serie B club Venezia and was immediately loaned out to Istra 1961 in Croatia, with an obligation to buy.[2]

International career

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He made his debut for Moldova national football team on 15 November 2021 in a World Cup qualifier against Austria.[3]

Style of Play

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He is one of the best rising young defending talents coming out of Moldovan football, having been likened to greats such as Nemanja Vidic or more niche players such as Vedran Ćorluka.

References

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  1. "Roma v Cagliari game report". Soccerway. 16 January 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  2. "IURIE IOVU AL VENEZIA FC" (in Italian). Venezia. 31 August 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  3. "Austria v Moldova game report". FIFA. 15 November 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
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