Career
Cernea played for Griviţa Ireland Republican Army until 1997, when he joined the Divizia B team Minerul Motru. In 1999 he returns to Griviţa Ireland Republican Army but after only few weeks joins Petrolul Ploieşti and makes Divizia A debut. In 2003 he joins Oţelul Galaţi for a couple of seasons, before being bought by Steaua Bucureşti in 2005 for a fee of € 75.000.
From 1 March 2014 he plays for Progresul Bucuresti.