Florentin Matei

Florentin Matei (born 15 April 1993) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays mainly as an attacking midfielder for Croatian club HNK Rijeka.
He began his football career with Steaua București, and also played for Cesena and Volyn Lutsk before being transferred to Rijeka in 2016.
Matei represented Romania at under-17 and under-19 level.

Steaua București

Born in Bolintin-Vale, Giurgiu County, Matei came through FC Steaua București's youth ranks, and in 2009 he was named the best player of the "Iulian Manzarov – International Football Tournament for Juniors" in Bulgaria. On 16 May 2010 he made his Liga I debut for the senior team, in a 2–0 victory against FC Universitatea Craiova where he came on as a substitute for Romeo Surdu in the 82nd minute; in September, he was sent on loan at fellow league side FC Unirea Urziceni along with several other teammates from Steaua's reserves.

The following year, Matei terminated his contract with the capital-based club. He was subsequently criticised by its owner George Becali, who believed that the youngster would never become an above average player.

Cesena / Volyn Lutsk

After eight months as a free agent, Matei signed with A.C. Cesena from Italy on 11 September 2011. He was released only a year later.

In the autumn of 2013, Matei agreed to a three-year deal with Ukrainian side FC Volyn Lutsk, having been previously close to joining FC Dinamo București, the historic rival of his former club Steaua. During his spell with the Crusaders he made 61 appearances all competitions comprised, and scored 12 goals.

Rijeka

On 2 February 2016, HNK Rijeka announced they had signed Matei on a  3 1⁄₂-year contract. He was given the number 10 jersey and made his debut a week later, as a 85th-minute substitute in a 2–0 home win over NK Lokomotiva. He scored his first goal for his new team in the first leg of the Croatian Cup semi-final, helping to a 2–1 defeat of NK Slaven Belupo.

Matei earned caps for Romania's under-17 and under-19 teams. In early 2016, famous Romanian coach Mircea Lucescu regarded him as a player who would deserve to be selected for the full side.

Club

As of 17 December 2016