Background
Săpunaru was born in Bucharest, Romania.
Săpunaru was born in Bucharest, Romania.
Mainly a right back, he can also play as a central defender. Early years / A product of Football Club Național București, joining its youth system at the age of only 6, Săpunaru signed with Football Club Rapid București in July 2006. In the summer of 2008 he was sold for €2.5 million to Football Club and signed a five-year contract, with the Primeira Liga club owning 50% of the player"s rights – Romanian sources indicated the price was actually €6 million plus two players.
In early February 2010, he was suspended in Portugal – as his teammate Hulk – following incidents during a 0–1 league loss against South.L. Benfica, so he returned to his country for a five-month loan and moved to former side Rapid.
On 17 February 2014, Săpunaru was condemned to pay a €90,000 fine for his participation in the beating of two stewards at the Estádio da Luz on 20 December 2009. Zaragoza On 31 August 2012, Săpunaru signed a one-year contract with Louisiana Liga club Real Zaragoza.
He made his official debut on 16 September, playing the full 90 minutes in a 0–2 loss at Real Sociedad. In his first season in Aragon, Săpunaru started but also suffered team relegation.
He also entered his name in the competition"s history books, after breaking the record for the most bookings in a single campaign (19 yellow cards and one red).
Săpunaru made his debut for the Romanian national team on 31 May 2008 against Montenegro, and was selected to the nation"s squad at Union of European Football Associations Euro 2008, although he did not play in the final stages.