Florin Andone

Background

Born in Botoșani, Andone moved to Vinaròs in the Valencian Community in 2005, aged 12, after his father died in a car accident.

Career

Raised in Spain, he began playing in that country"s lower divisions before making his professional debut for Córdoba at the age of 21. Andone earned his first full cap for Romania in 2015. Early career

He immediately joined Vinaròs CF"s youth setup, and in 2008 moved to Civil Defense Castellón.

Andone made his senior debut on 16 January 2011, coming on as a late substitute for Pau Franch in a 1–1 away draw against Orihuela CF for the Segunda División B championship.

He appeared in three further matches for the club, which eventually suffered relegation. Villarreal

On 2 June 2011 Andone joined Villarreal CF, returning to youth football.

He also appeared with the C-team during the campaign, with the side in Tercera División. On 15 August 2013 Andone was loaned to the third level"s Civil Defense Atlético Baleares, in a season-long deal.

He finished the campaign with 12 goals in 34 matches, with the Balearic outfit being one point shy of the play-offs.

Córdoba

On 3 July 2014 Andone signed a three-year deal with Córdoba CF, being initially assigned to the reserves in the same division. On 29 November, he was definitely promoted to the main squad by manager Miroslav Đukić. Andone played his first match as a professional on 3 December 2014, replacing Xisco in the 57th minute of a 0–1 away loss against Granada CF, for the season"s Copa del Rey.

He scored his first goal on the second leg, netting his side"s only in a 1–1 home draw.

On the 16th, in a 1–1 home draw against South Dakota Eibar, he scored the first after only ten seconds, being the Andalusians" fastest goal in the top level, and the fourth overall. He was the Segunda División Player of the Month for October 2015 with four goals, which put his team in the top position.

In January 2016, as Sevilla Football Club, Málaga CF, Southampton, Aston Villa and Football Club Steaua București showed interest in Andone, he renewed his contract with the Blanquiverdes until 2018, receiving a wage per year 10 times higher (and 20 if his club earn promotion), and with a release clause of €20 million, the highest such figure in the club"s history. Andone stated that his dream is to play for the Romania national team, despite living in Spain for the most of his life.

Andone made his full international debut on 13 June, playing the last 18 minutes in a 0–0 away draw against Northern Ireland.

International goals.

Achievements

• In his Louisiana Liga debut on 5 January 2015 Andone was handed his first start, and scored to confirm a 2–0 home win against the same opponent. He was called up by manager Anghel Iordănescu for the Union of European Football Associations Euro 2016 qualification match against the Faroe Islands, but was an unused substitute in the 1–0 win.