Costel Pantilimon

Costel Fane Pantilimon (Romanian pronunciation: [kosˈtel pantiliˈmon]; born 1 February 1987) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Denizlispor in the Süper Lig and the Romania national team.

Costel Pantilimon
Pantilimon with Romania in June 2014
Personal information
Full name Costel Fane Pantilimon[1]
Date of birth (1987-02-01) 1 February 1987
Place of birth Bacău, Romania
Height 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)[2]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 Denizlispor
Number 29
Youth career
Aerostar Bacău
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2012 Politehnica Timișoara 115 (0)
2011–2012 → Manchester City (loan) 0 (0)
2012–2014 Manchester City 7 (0)
2014–2016 Sunderland 45 (0)
2016–2018 Watford 2 (0)
2017–2018 → Deportivo La Coruña (loan) 6 (0)
2018 → Nottingham Forest (loan) 13 (0)
2018–2020 Nottingham Forest 44 (0)
2020 → Omonia (loan) 6 (0)
2020– Denizlispor 12 (0)
National team‡
2003–2004 Romania U17 5 (0)
2005 Romania U19 3 (0)
2006–2008 Romania U21 12 (0)
2008–2021 Romania 27 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 10 January 2021
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 14 November 2017

Pantilimon began his career at Politehnica Timișoara, becoming their first-choice goalkeeper. In 2011, he signed for Manchester City, initially on loan, as back-up for Joe Hart. Pantilimon was first choice for City in the 2013–14 League Cup, which they went on to win. He then remained in the Premier League with Sunderland, spending one-and-a-half seasons there before a transfer to Watford in 2016.

Pantilimon has been a full international for Romania since 2008, and was selected for UEFA Euro 2016.

Club career

Early career

Born in Bacău, Pantilimon started his career at Aerostar Bacău and got his share of limelight at the Romania national under-19 team before transferring to Politehnica Timișoara on 1 February 2006, his 19th birthday.[3]

Politehnica Timișoara

Initially, Pantilimon was Timișoara's second-choice goalkeeper, behind Marius Popa. In May 2008, however, the owner of the club, Marian Iancu, transferred Popa to the second team, and Pantilimon took the pole position.[4] He made his debut in the Romanian Liga 1 against Dinamo București, in March 2007.[3]

In a match against Ceahlăul on 17 October 2009, Pantilimon captained the team for the first time, since Dan Alexa, Gigel Bucur and Arman Karamyan and his brother Artavazd were all on the bench.[5]

Pantilimon was part of the Timișoara team that defeated UEFA Cup winners Shakhtar Donetsk in the qualifying rounds of the 2009–10 Champions League campaign. He played all 90 minutes of each leg.[6][7]

Manchester City
Pantilimon (left) with Sergio Agüero on Manchester City's Premier League victory parade, May 2012

On 11 August 2011, Pantilimon joined Manchester City on a one-year loan deal from Politehnica Timișoara to act as cover for Joe Hart following the departure of Shay Given.[8]

Pantilimon's first start was a League Cup win against holders Birmingham City on 21 September 2011. His next match was on 26 October, against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the same competition, where City fielded a second-string team, although still comprehensively won 5–2. Pantilimon got his next Manchester City start during the 1–0 League Cup quarter-final win against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. In the Arsenal match, he was named Man of the Match, making two saves in the first half. He started the third round of the FA Cup against Manchester United at the City of Manchester Stadium on 8 January 2012, saving Wayne Rooney's penalty but was unable to save the follow up; Manchester City lost the game 3–2.[9]

Pantilimon's loan deal was made permanent for an undisclosed fee. He was contracted to City until 2016.[10] During the 2012–13 FA Cup, he kept four clean sheets in a row and managed an outstanding performance against Chelsea in the semi-final, conceding just one goal in five matches. In response to this performance, then City manager Roberto Mancini immediately promised that the Romanian would keep his place when the team return to Wembley Stadium to face Wigan Athletic on 11 May.[11] However, he was a substitute in the final, with Joe Hart starting; Manchester City lost to Wigan 1–0.[12] It was later revealed that Mancini had promised on the eve of the FA Cup Final that the Romanian would play, but then deputed the goalkeeping coach on match day morning to say there had been a change of plan.[13]

Pantilimon was given his first start of the 2013–14 season for City in the Football League Cup third-round match at home to Wigan on 24 September 2013, which City won 5–0;[14] manager Manuel Pellegrini praised him for keeping a clean sheet.[15] Five weeks later, Pantilimon was also selected to start in the next League Cup match away to Newcastle United on 30 October; once again, he conceded no goals, as City won 2–0 and progressed to the last eight of the competition.[16] Three days later, he made his Premier League debut at home to Norwich City, keeping his third clean sheet in a row in an emphatic 7–0 victory.[17] On 7 November 2013, he started in Champions League game against CSKA Moscow that ended in City winning 5–2. He started his second Premier League game on 10 November 2013 away against Sunderland that ended in a 0–1 defeat.

On 2 March 2014, Pantilimon started for Manchester City in the 2014 League Cup Final at Wembley Stadium. The team won 3–1 against Sunderland with goals from Yaya Touré, Samir Nasri and Jesús Navas.[18]

Overall, Pantilimon made seven appearances during the 2013–14 Premier League season, keeping three clean sheets as Manchester City won a second league title in three years.[19] He was also the team's first-choice goalkeeper for their League Cup and FA Cup matches.[20]

Sunderland
Pantilimon taking a goal-kick for Sunderland

On 16 June 2014, Pantilimon joined Sunderland on a free transfer from Manchester City.[21] On 27 August, he made his first appearance for the club in the second round of the League Cup second round against Birmingham City, keeping a clean sheet in a 3–0 win at St Andrew's.[22] Pantilimon started the season as back-up for Vito Mannone, but after poor performances in an 8–0 loss to Southampton and a 2–0 loss to Arsenal, the Italian was subsequently dropped and Pantilimon made his Premier League debut for Sunderland in a 3–1 win at Crystal Palace on 3 November 2014,[23] thus becoming the club's first choice keeper for the rest of the season. He started the next season as first choice before losing his place to Mannone, eventually dropping to third choice behind Jordan Pickford.

Watford

On 19 January 2016, Pantilimon joined Premier League rivals Watford on a three-and-a-half-year deal, for an undisclosed fee.[24][25] He made his first appearance for the Hornets on 30 January in their FA Cup Fourth Round victory at Nottingham Forest. He also started the game in the Fifth Round against Leeds United. He kept clean sheets in both games. He made his Premier League debut for the Hornets in a forgettable 6–1 defeat at Liverpool on 6 November 2016, after Heurelho Gomes was injured during the first half.

On 1 September 2017, Pantilimon joined La Liga club Deportivo La Coruña on a one-year loan from Watford, lasting until 20 May 2018.[26] The long-term absence of first-choice keeper Rubén, who suffered a hand injury in training, prompted the signing.[27] Pantilimon made his debut for the Galicians against Real Betis on 16 September. The following week, Pantilimon picked up his first clean sheet, coming in a 1–0 win over Alavés.[28]

Nottingham Forest

On 31 January 2018, Pantilimon left Spain to return to England and sign on loan for EFL Championship side Nottingham Forest until the end of the 2017–18 season.[29] He made his full début away at Fulham on 3 February.[30] He made his home début against Hull City the following week,[30] saving a penalty from Jon Toral.[31] He made the English Football League's Team of the Week after producing a clean sheet at Burton Albion when Forest were reduced to ten men for much of the match on 17 February.[32]

On 3 July 2018, Pantilimon signed a three-year deal with Forest.[33]

On 30 January 2020, Pantilimon was loaned to Cypriot First Division side Omonia for the remainder of the season.[34]

Denizlispor

On 4 September 2020, Pantilimon joined Turkish Süper Lig side Denizlispor following a mutual termination of his contract at Nottingham Forest.[35]

International career
Pantilimon (far right) in the Romania team ahead of a match against Algeria in 2014

Pantilimon is a former Romania under-21 international. He made his debut for the senior Romania national team on 19 November 2008, in a friendly against Georgia.[36] On 31 May 2016, Pantilimon was included in the final 23-man squad for UEFA Euro 2016, but did not appear in all matches in this tournament; Romanian coach Anghel Iordănescu used Ciprian Tătărușanu as the nation's first-choice.

Personal life

Pantilimon is a hearing child of two deaf parents.[37] He married Andreea Berbece in 2013.[38]

Club statistics

Club
As of match played 8 March 2020 [39]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Europe Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Poli Timișoara 2006–07 Liga I 80200000100
2007–08 5000000050
2008–09 31050002[lower-alpha 1]0380
2009–10 21000009[lower-alpha 2]0300
2010–11 28010003[lower-alpha 1]0320
Total 93080001401150
Manchester City 2011–12[40] Premier League 0010400050
2012–13[41] 0050100060
2013–14[42] 7050501[lower-alpha 3]0180
Total 7011010010290
Sunderland 2014–15[43] Premier League 280102000310
2015–16[44] 170001000180
Total 450103000490
Watford 2015–16[44] Premier League 0040000040
2016–17[45] 2020100050
Total 2060100090
Deportivo de La Coruña (loan) 2017–18[46] La Liga 6010——70
Total 6010000070
Nottingham Forest (loan) 2017–18 Championship 13000——130
Nottingham Forest 2018–19 44000——440
2019–20 0000——00
Total 570000000570
Omonia (loan) 2019–20 Cypriot First Division 6010——70
Total 6010000070
Denizlispor 2020-21 Süper Lig 7000——70
Career total 22302801101502800
  1. Appearances in the Europa League
  2. Four appearances in the Champions League and five in the Europa League
  3. Appearance in the Champions League

International
As of 14 November 2017[47]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Romania
200810
200930
201050
201150
201200
201320
201430
201510
201640
201730
Total270

Honours

Manchester City

References
  1. "Costel Fane Pantilimon". Turkish Football Federation. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
  2. "Premier League Player Profile Costel Pantilimon". Premier League. 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  3. "Pantilimon, gigantul României" (in Romanian). Adevărul. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 9 October 2008.
  4. "Marian Iancu: "Marius Popa este netransferabil"" (in Romanian). onlinesport.ro. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 17 May 2008.
  5. "Pantilimon, căpitan în premieră" (in Romanian). violamania.ro. Retrieved 17 October 2009.
  6. "Fernandinho comes to Shakhtar's rescue". UEFA. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
  7. "Timișoara – Shakhtar: match report". shakhtar.com. Archived from the original on 15 September 2012. Retrieved 5 August 2009.
  8. Rowen, Alex (11 August 2011). "City sign Romanian keeper Pantilimon". Manchester City F.C. Archived from the original on 14 August 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  9. McNulty, Phil (8 January 2012). "Manchester City 2–3 Manchester United". BBC. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  10. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/14421319
  11. Taylor, Daniel (14 April 2013). "Manchester City resist late Chelsea siege to face Wigan in Cup final". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 15 April 2013.
  12. Brennan, Stuart (11 May 2013). "Manchester City 0 Wigan 1: Latics lift FA Cup". Manchester Evening News. Archived from the original on 16 January 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  13. Herbert, Ian (2 December 2013). "Pellegrini aiming for top of tree over Christmas period". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
  14. "Manchester City 5–0 Wigan". BBC. 24 September 2013. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  15. Stephenson, Rebecca (31 October 2013). "Capital One Cup: Manuel Pellegrini praises Costel Pantilimon in Manchester City win". Sky Sports. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  16. Magowan, Alistair (30 October 2013). "Capital One Cup: Newcastle United 0–2 Manchester City (aet)". BBC. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  17. Rose, Gary (2 November 2013). "Manchester City 7–0 Norwich City". BBC. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  18. McNulty, Phil (2 March 2014). "Manchester City 3–1 Sunderland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  19. "Sunderland: Costel Pantilimon happy with Vito Mannone rivalry". BBC. 17 July 2014. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  20. "Manchester City v Sunderland: Joe Hart prepared to sit out League Cup final is Manuel Pellegrini sticks with Costel Pantilimon". The Independent. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  21. "Costel Pantilimon: Sunderland sign ex-Man City keeper". BBC Sport. 16 June 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  22. Hampson, Andy (1 March 2014). "Birmingham 0–3 Sunderland". BBC. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  23. Sheen, Tom (3 November 2014). "Crystal Palace vs Sunderland team news: Vito Mannone and Wes Brown dropped to the bench after gaffes against Arsenal last week". The Independent. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  24. "Așa ceva nu se face! Ce a putut să spună antrenorul lui Sunderland despre Pantilimon, deși jucătorul a plecat de 5 luni de la echipă!". Gazeta Sporturilor. 16 April 2016.
  25. "Adevărata sumă a transferului lui Costel Pantilimon la Watford". Digi Sport. 2 February 2016.
  26. "Costel Pantilimon, nuevo portero del Dépor". rcdeportivo.es (in Spanish). Deportivo La Coruña. 1 September 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  27. "Deportivo completes its squad with the Romanian goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 1 September 2017.
  28. Radu, Andrei (21 September 2017). "Victorie pentru Pantilimon şi Florin Andone în La Liga: La Coruna – Alaves 1–0. Andone a pasat decisiv pentru Luisinho". Stiri pe surse (in Romanian).
  29. "Forest clinch double signing". Nottingham Forest F.C. 31 January 2018.
  30. "Games played by Costel Pantilimon in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  31. Taylor, Paul (10 February 2018). "Hull City inflict more misery on Nottingham Forest as they are beaten again at home after tame performance". nottinghampost.com. Nottingham Post. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  32. "Team of the Week: Matchday 32". efl.com. English Football League. 19 February 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  33. "Costel returns". Nottingham Forest Football Club. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  34. https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/2020/january/nottingham-forest-goalkeeper-costel-pantilimon-joins-ac-omonia-on-loan/
  35. https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/transfer-news/nottingham-forest-transfers-fringe-man-4485855
  36. "Costel Fane Pantilimon". eu-football.info. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  37. "Drama gigantului din poarta Romaniei" (in Romanian). sport.ro. Retrieved 11 October 2010.
  38. Surulescu, Daniela (26 February 2013). "EXCLUSIV! Fostul portar al lui Poli, Costel Pantilimon s-a casatorit, la Dumbravita, langa Timișoara! VEZI FOTO si VIDEO!" (in Romanian). Opinia Timișoarei. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  39. "Player Profile of Costel Pantilimon". ESPN. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
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  41. "Games played by Costel Pantilimon in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  42. "Games played by Costel Pantilimon in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  43. "Games played by Costel Pantilimon in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  44. "Games played by Costel Pantilimon in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  45. "Games played by Costel Pantilimon in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
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  49. Smith, Ben (12 August 2012). "Chelsea 2–3 Man City". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 21 January 2016.
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