Lazio sign ‘new Chivu’ - TalkSoccer

**D-Kin** · 28-01-2008, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Lazio sign ‘new Chivu’ Monday 28 January, 2008

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lazio have swooped for Romanian defensive starlet Stefan Radu, who is seen by many as the heir to Cristian Chivu’s throne.

The 21-year-old stopper will undergo a medical at the Biancocelesti’s Padeia complex this afternoon after agreeing a deal with Dinamo Bucharest.

Lazio lost Guglielmo Stendardo on loan to Juventus earlier today, but they have brought in a talent for the future who has won some illustrious comparisons.

“We have closed the deal and it suits everybody,” agent Victor Becali told Piazzadellaliberta.it.

“Radu is a lad with his head in the right place. I am sure that he will finish his career in Italy because he is a great player and he has the right personality for a League like ours.

“He is technically talented and he has amazing potential that Delio Rossi will be able to bring out.

“There is a lot of expectation for Radu, but there are still lots of differences between him and Chivu and he still has a long way to go before he is as good as such a champion.

“But in Italy he will be able to improve and he is a similar character to Chivu as he keeps his feet on the ground and is very professional.”

Radu has become the first Romanian ever to play for Lazio and is set to watch the Aquile’s Coppa Italia quarter-final second leg against Fiorentina on Wednesday.

channel4.com - Football Italia

I've heard good things about this kid, lets see what he's capable of.

**Jager** · 29-01-2008, 07:49 AM

Nice. Romania is developing some good players, and they like to play in Italy it seems.

Adamo · 29-01-2008, 11:46 PM

Has anyone seen Radu play?

Will he be allowed to play tomorrow against Fiorentina?

**Jager** · 30-01-2008, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adamo

Has anyone seen Radu play?

Will he be allowed to play tomorrow against Fiorentina?

No I have not, but yes, he could play against Fiorentina. Will he? I'm not certain.

Though the coppa game would be the perfect place to try him out.

**D-Kin** · 30-01-2008, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Radu has Chivu ambition Tuesday 29 January, 2008

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lazio’s new signing Stefan Radu hopes to follow in the footsteps of another Romanian who made it big in Serie A – Cristian Chivu.

“I am already settling in well, my only problem is the language,” said the 21-year-old defender who made the move from Dinamo Bucharest.

“I consider myself a committed player who works very hard. I came here to play and not to sit on the sidelines and watch.

“Chivu is my idol and I would love to follow in his footsteps,” he said of the former Roma star, now leading the standings at Inter.

Radu could well be thrown in at the deep end immediately, as Lazio are struggling with an injury crisis that has decimated their defence.

Lorenzo De Silvestri is out for a month with a thigh strain, while Fabio Firmani, Luciano Zauri and Mobido Diakhite are also sidelined.

Guglielmo Stendardo has been loaned out to Juventus, but Aleksander Kolarov is suspended for this weekend’s meeting with Sampdoria.

“The players gave me a warm welcome and I am happy to be at Lazio,” continued Radu, who has joined on loan with an option to make it permanent at the end of the season.

“This is an important club and I remember the strong side that deserved to win the Champions League preliminary round.”

Radu was in the Dinamo Bucharest squad that was eliminated from the competition by the Biancocelesti in August.

Lazio drew the first leg 1-1 before winning in Romania with a 3-1 scoreline.

channel4.com - Football Italia

**D-Kin** · 30-01-2008, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adamo

Will he be allowed to play tomorrow against Fiorentina?

Possibly, you've got a lot of defensive players out injured at the moment.