Dan Nistor

Dan Nistor
Nistor in 2016
Personal information
Full name Dan Nicolae Nistor
Date of birth (1988-05-06) 6 May 1988 (age 38)
Place of birth Rucăr, Romania
Height 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Universitatea Cluj
Number 10
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2007 AS Rucăr
2007–2010 Internațional Curtea de Argeș
2008–2009 → Muscelul Câmpulung (loan)
2009–2010 → Dacia Mioveni (loan) 28 (4)
2010–2013 Pandurii Târgu Jiu 97 (9)
2013–2015 Évian 6 (0)
2014–2015 → Pandurii Târgu Jiu (loan) 45 (2)
2015–2016 Pandurii Târgu Jiu 35 (1)
2016–2017 Dinamo București 29 (3)
2017 CFR Cluj 17 (0)
2018–2019 Dinamo București 66 (9)
2020–2023 Universitatea Craiova 106 (12)
2023– Universitatea Cluj 128 (35)
International career
2012–2020 Romania 8 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 8 October 2026

Dan Nicolae Nistor (born 6 May 1988) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Liga I club Universitatea Cluj.

After starting his career in the lower leagues, Nistor established himself at Pandurii Târgu Jiu, where he made over 90 Liga I appearances between 2010 and 2013. His performances earned him a move to French club Evian, but he struggled for playing time and soon returned to Pandurii. From 2016, Nistor represented Dinamo București, CFR Cluj, Universitatea Craiova, and Universitatea Cluj. In 2026, he became the record holder for Liga I appearances, reaching 516.

Nistor made his senior international debut for Romania in November 2012, in a 2–1 victory over Belgium.

Club career

Early career

Nistor did not play football at junior level, but in 2005 joined his hometown club AS Rucăr in the lower leagues. Roughly two years later, during a match against the reserves of Argeș Pitești, he impressed Internațional Curtea de Argeș owner Benone Lazăr who was in the attendance. Nistor was then transferred to the latter club at the cost of seven football balls.

After his first season at Internațional in the third league, Nistor was loaned to Muscelul Câmpulung and Dacia Mioveni, respectively. Upon his return to Curtea de Argeș in 2010, the team withdrew from the Liga I championship due to financial issues.

Pandurii Târgu Jiu

Nistor signed a four-year contract with Liga I team Pandurii Târgu Jiu in the summer of 2010.[citation needed] He played his first match in the top division on 23 July that year, featuring the full 90 minutes in a goalless draw with Unirea Urziceni. On 10 April 2011, he scored his first Liga I goal in a 4–2 home victory over Victoria Brănești.

Nistor made 35 appearances and netted six goals all competition comprised in the 2012–13 season, as Pandurii finished second in the championship and subsequently qualified for the UEFA Europa League. He made his debut in the latter competition on 16 July 2013, in a goalless away draw with Levadia Tallinn in the second qualifying round. His team went further after 4–0 on aggregate, and he recorded his first European goal in a 1–1 draw against Hapoel Tel Aviv on 1 August.

Evian

In August 2013, amid interest from FC Steaua București, CFR Cluj, and Málaga, Nistor joined French club Evian for a rumoured fee of €800,000. He struggled to establish himself as a starter, making only six Ligue 1 appearances during the first half of the 2013–14 season. Nistor initially attributed his lack of playing time partly to his nationality, but later apologised and said that his comments had been misunderstood.

Return to Pandurii Târgu Jiu

On 22 January 2014, Nistor was sent on loan to his former team Pandurii Târgu Jiu for a period of five months, which was later extended for the 2014–15 season. In the summer of 2015, after being released by Evian, he again joined the Alb-albaștrii as a free agent.

Dinamo București

On 31 August 2016, Nistor agreed to a two-year deal with fellow league club Dinamo București. He won his first career trophy on 20 May 2017, after "the Red Dogs" came victorious 2–0 in the Cupa Ligii final against ACS Poli Timișoara.

CFR Cluj

On 10 July 2017, Nistor joined CFR Cluj in a swap deal that sent Filipe Nascimento to Dinamo București. Under manager Dan Petrescu, he made 18 appearances across all competitions without scoring. In January 2018, Nistor publicly expressed dissatisfaction with his lack of playing time and Petrescu's communication.

Return to Dinamo București

Nistor terminated his contract with CFR Cluj and rejoined Dinamo București on 13 January 2018. He was assigned the number 10 shirt and played his first match upon return on 4 February, in a 2–2 Liga I draw with Universitatea Craiova.

On 29 July 2018, Nistor scored in a cross-town derby with FCSB, which ended 3–3. The following month, FCSB reportedly made several bids for the transfer of the midfielder; Dinamo however rejected each offer and proceeded in contract extension talks. Nistor registered 13 assists across the 2018–19 league season, the most for a player in the previous ten years, and was named by Liga Profesionistă de Fotbal in the best team of the campaign.

Universitatea Craiova

On 6 January 2020, Nistor signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Universitatea Craiova for an undisclosed transfer fee. He made his debut on the 31st, in a 3–1 Liga I victory over Gaz Metan Mediaș, and scored his first goals on 4 March in a 2–3 Cupa României loss to Politehnica Iași.

On 23 June 2020, Nistor scored his first league goal for Craiova in a 2–1 home win over Botoșani. He then scored the winning penalty in a 2–1 victory over FCSB on 12 July. On 3 August, he opened the scoring in a 1–3 home defeat to CFR Cluj, which saw Craiova finish second as CFR secured their third consecutive title.

Universitatea Cluj

On 13 February 2023, Nistor moved to Universitatea Cluj, the city rival of his former club CFR Cluj.

Nistor recorded the best individual figures of his career in the 2023–24 season, with 16 goals and 12 assists in all competitions. On 3 August 2026, he made his 515th top-flight appearance in a 2–1 win over Botoșani, drawing level with Ionel Dănciulescu as the joint record holder for appearances in the Liga I.

International career

On 4 June 2013, Nistor made his international debut for Romania in a 4–0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago at the Arena Națională in Bucharest. He previously played in two unofficial friendlies against Belgium and Poland, respectively.

His next caps for the nation only came during late 2019 under manager Cosmin Contra, appearing as a substitute in both UEFA Euro 2020 qualifiers against Norway (1–1 home draw) and Spain (0–5 home loss).

Personal life

In February 2012, Nistor was caught driving an Audi A5 without a licence and was fined.

He has been married since June 2013, with fellow footballer Mihai Pintilii serving as his best man. His wife, Cosmina, gave birth to their son in April 2017.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 28 October 2026
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Dacia Mioveni (loan) 2009–10 Liga II 28400———284
Pandurii Târgu Jiu 2010–11 Liga I 26120———281
2011–12 Liga I 33230———362
2012–13 Liga I 33620———356
2013–14 Liga I 50——41—91
Total 97970—41—10810
Évian 2013–14 Ligue 1 601020——90
Pandurii Târgu Jiu (loan) 2013–14 Liga I 141————141
2014–15 Liga I 3113041——382
Total 4523041——523
Pandurii Târgu Jiu 2015–16 Liga I 3512010——381
Dinamo București 2016–17 Liga I 2932142——356
CFR Cluj 2017–18 Liga I 17010———180
Dinamo București 2017–18 Liga I 18110———191
2018–19 Liga I 32424———348
2019–20 Liga I 16421———185
Total 66955———7114
Universitatea Craiova 2019–20 Liga I 14312———155
2020–21 Liga I 38451—10—445
2021–22 Liga I 34350—2010423
2022–23 Liga I 20220—10—232
Total 10612133—401012415
Universitatea Cluj 2022–23 Liga I 12331———154
2023–24 Liga I 361362——214416
2024–25 Liga I 391100———3911
2025–26 Liga I 31830—20—368
2026–27 Liga I 10010—3010150
Total 12835133—503114939
Career total 5617547121131314163692
  1. ↑ Includes Cupa Romaniei, Coupe de France
  2. ↑ Includes Cupa Ligii, Coupe de la Ligue
  3. 1 2 Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  4. 1 2 3 Appearances in UEFA Conference League
  5. 1 2 Appearances in Supercupa României
  6. ↑ Appearances in Liga I European play-offs
  7. ↑ One appearance in UEFA Europa League, two appearances in UEFA Conference League

International

As of 18 November 2020.
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Romania 201210
201320
201920
202030
Total80

Honours

Internațional Curtea de Argeș

Pandurii Târgu Jiu

Dinamo București

CFR Cluj

Universitatea Craiova

Universitatea Cluj

Individual

Records

References

  1. ↑ "UEFA Nations League 2021: Booking List before League phase Matchday 6" (PDF). UEFA. 16 November 2020. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 November 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 "515 meciuri. 515 mingi. Un record care inspiră generații" [515 matches. 515 footballs. A record that inspires generations] (in Romanian). Superliga. 30 July 2026. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  3. ↑ "VIDEO EXCLUSIV Nistor: "Sunt unicul fotbalist din Liga I fără juniorat"" [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO Nistor: "I am the only Liga I player without junior football"] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 11 June 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  4. 1 2 "Strania poveste a lui Nistor, jucătorul Pandurilor: 'Inter m-a transferat pe 7 mingi'" [The strange story of Nistor, Pandurii's player: 'Inter transferred me for 7 balls'] (in Romanian). ProSport. 12 August 2010. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  5. ↑ "A lucrat ca paznic la hotel şi s-a apucat de fotbal la 17 ani! El e surpriza lui Piţurcă! Povestea fotbalistului "de duminică" ajuns la naţională" [He worked as a hotel watchman and started football at age 17! He is Pițurcă's surprise! The story of the "Sunday league" player who was selected in the national team] (in Romanian). ProSport. 13 November 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  6. ↑ "Gol perfect valabil refuzat Pandurilor in minutul 93: Pandurii 0-0 Unirea Urziceni!" [Flawless dissalowed goal for Pandurii in the 93rd minute: Pandurii 0–0 Unirea Urziceni!] (in Romanian). Sport.ro. 23 July 2010. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  7. ↑ "Adio griji pentru Grig! Pandurii Târgu Jiu – Victoria Brăneşti 4-2" [Grig waves goodbye to worries! Padurii Târgu Jiu – Victoria Brănești 4–2] (in Romanian). ProSport. 10 April 2011. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  8. ↑ "Oltenii ratară mult! Levadia – Pandurii 0-0" [Oltenii missed a lot of chances! Levadia – Pandurii 0–0] (in Romanian). ProSport. 16 July 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  9. ↑ "Europa League: Pandurii scoate o remiza cu Hapoel" [Europa League: Pandurii draws with Hapoel] (in Romanian). Ziare.com. 1 August 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  10. ↑ "Încă un rival în cursa pentru semnătura lui Nistor » CFR apare pe turnantă" [Another rival in the race for Nistor's signing » CFR is on the turntable]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 2 May 2013. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  11. ↑ "Dan Nistor a fost transferat la Evian în prima ligă din Franţa" [Dan Nistor was transferred to Evian in the French first league] (in Romanian). CS Pandurii Târgu Jiu. 16 August 2013. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  12. ↑ "Pandurii a bătut palma cu Evian! Meciul cu Astra este ultimul pentru Nistor" [Pandurii reached a deal with Evian! The match against Astra is the last for Nistor] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 17 August 2013.
  13. ↑ "Dan Nistor are o explicaţie pentru eşecul de la Evian: "N-am jucat pentru că eram român!"" [Dan Nistor has an explanation for his failure at Evian: "I did not play because I was Romanian"]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 5 February 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  14. ↑ "Nistor s-a speriat de amploarea declarațiilor sale și își cere scuze pe site-ul oficial" [Nistor was alarmed by the impact of his statements and has issued an apology on the official website] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 6 February 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  15. ↑ "Dan Nistor a ajuns azi la un acord cu Pandurii Târgu Jiu pentru un împrumut pentru următoarele cinci luni" [Dan Nistor reached an agreement with Pandurii Târgu Jiu for a loan for the following five months] (in Romanian). CS Pandurii Târgu Jiu. 22 January 2014. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  16. ↑ "Dan Nistor este jucătorul lui Dinamo! A efectuat vizita medicală, apoi a semnat contractul cu echipa din "Ştefan cel Mare"" [Dan Nistor is Dinamo's player! He passed his medical, then signed the contract with the club from "Ștefan cel Mare"] (in Romanian). ProSport. 31 August 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  17. 1 2 "Primul trofeu după o pauză de cinci ani: Dinamo a învins ACS Poli Timişoara, scor 2-0, şi a câştigat Cupa Ligii" [First trophy after a pause of five years: Dinamo defeated ACS Poli Timișoara, score 2–0, and won the Cupa Ligii] (in Romanian). Mediafax. 20 May 2017. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  18. ↑ "OFICIAL: S-a făcut schimbul. Dan Nistor i-a luat locul lui Nascimento la CFR Cluj: "Aseară ne-am înţeles"" [Official: The swap was made. Dan Nistor took Nascimento's place at CFR Cluj: "We reached a deal yesterday afternoon"] (in Romanian). CjSport. 7 July 2017. Archived from the original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  19. ↑ "Încă un transfer important la CFR | Bun venit, Dan Nistor!" [Another important transfer to CFR | Welcome, Dan Nistor!] (in Romanian). CFR Cluj. 10 July 2017. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  20. ↑ ""Super Dan", atacat de Dan Nistor: "Spune, nene, ai ceva cu mine?"" ["Super Dan", contested by Dan Nistor: "Tell me, uncle, do you have something against me?"] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 8 January 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  21. ↑ "OFICIAL. Dan NISTOR la Dinamo" [OFFICIAL. Dan NISTOR to Dinamo] (in Romanian). FC Dinamo București. 13 January 2018. Archived from the original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  22. ↑ "Dan Nistor s-a întors la Dinamo. Contract până în 2020. "Am revenit acasă"" [Dan Nistor returned to Dinamo. Contract running until 2020. "I am home again"]. Libertatea (in Romanian). 13 January 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  23. ↑ "PREZENTARE OFICIALĂ. 8, 9 și 10!" [OFFICIAL PRESENTATION. 8, 9 and 10!] (in Romanian). FC Dinamo București. 3 February 2018. Archived from the original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  24. ↑ "Dinamo – Craiova 2-2. Alb-roşiii au egalat de două ori şi au avut o bară în prelungiri" [Dinamo – Craiova 2-2. Alb-roșii equaled twice and hit the post in the extra time] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 4 February 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  25. ↑ "Gol Nistor în FCSB – Dinamo 2-2. Vezi execuţia! Video" [A goal from Nistor in FCSB – Dinamo 2-2. See his execution! Video] (in Romanian). Fanatik.ro. 29 July 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  26. ↑ "Telenovela Nistor la FCSB s-a încheiat! Becali a pus pe masă 1 milion € și răspunsul lui Dinamo a venit pe loc" [The Nistor to FCSB telenovela has ended! Becali offered 1 million € and Dinamo's response came instantly] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 22 August 2018. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  27. ↑ "Nistor, un model! Bratu a dezvăluit ce s-a întâmplat cu căpitanul lui Dinamo după ce a ratat muntele de bani pus pe masă de Becali: "Aşa l-am simţit!"" [Nistor, a model! Bratu revealed what happened with Dinamo's captain after missing out on the mount of money put on the table by Becali: "That's what I felt about him!"] (in Romanian). ProSport. 24 August 2018. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  28. ↑ "Echipa sezonului 2018/2019" [Best team of the 2018/19 season] (in Romanian). Liga Profesionistă de Fotbal. 24 June 2019. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  29. ↑ "#BunVenitDan – Nistor a semnat cu Știința" [#WelcomeDan – Nistor signed with Știința] (in Romanian). CS Universitatea Craiova. 6 January 2020. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  30. ↑ "Universitatea Craiova – CFR Cluj 1-3. Veni, Vidi, Vinicius. Ardelenii revin spectaculos, câștigă al treilea titlu consecutiv și se pregătesc de preliminariile Champions League" [Universitatea Craiova – CFR Cluj 1-3. Veni, Vidi, Vinícius. Ardelenii turn the game around in a spectacular manner, win their third consecutive title and prepare for the Champions League qualifiers] (in Romanian). ProSport. 3 August 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  31. ↑ "EXCLUSIV Trei plecări într-o zi de la CSU Craiova: Dan Nistor schimbă echipa după 3 ani în Bănie" [EXCLUSIVE Three departures in one day for CSU Craiova: Dan Nistor changes the team after 3 years in Bănie]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 13 February 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  32. ↑ "FOTO şi VIDEO România – Trinidad Tobago 4-0 » Victorie de moral pentru tricolori" [PHOTO and VIDEO Romania – Trinidad and Tobago 4–0 » Moral victory for "the Tricolours"]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 4 June 2013. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  33. ↑ "Dan Nistor iese la atac: "Dacă aș fi jucat de la început, mi-aș fi dat viața pentru echipa națională. Nu ca alții"" [Dan Nistor attacks his teammates: "If I had played from the start, I would have given my life for the national team. Not like others"] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 23 November 2019. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  34. ↑ "Penal » Mijlocaşul Pandurilor, Dan Nistor, a fost prins conducînd fără carnet!" [Penal » Pandurii's midfielder, Dan Nistor, was caught driving without a license!]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 21 February 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  35. ↑ "Dan Nistor a semnat cel mai important "contract"! Mijlocaşul s-a căsătorit" [Dan Nistor signed his most important "contract"! The midfielder married] (in Romanian). ProSport. 23 June 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  36. ↑ "Dan Nistor, un tătic emoţionat" [Dan Nistor, an excited father]. Libertatea (in Romanian). 9 April 2017. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  37. ↑ Dan Nistor at Soccerway. Retrieved 22 December 2025.
  38. ↑ "Dan Nistor". European Football. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  39. ↑ "Echipa sezonului 2018/2019" [Team of the season 2018/2019] (in Romanian). LPF.ro. 24 June 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  40. ↑ "LPF a anunțat echipa sezonului în Liga 1 » CFR Cluj dă cei mai mulți jucători, FCSB doar unul" [LPF has announced the "ideal team" of the Liga 1 season! CFR Cluj offers the most players, FCSB only one.] (in Romanian). GSP. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2021.