Dumitru Copil
Encyclopedia
Dumitru Alexandru Copil (born 4 March 1990) is a Romania
n footballer, who plays as a midfielder
for FC Bihor.
and Celtic
were interested in signing him. He was described in the press as "the new Hagi
".
won the race to sign Copil, paying a fee in the region of £125,000 to secure him to a two-year deal with a further five-year option. His parents were flown over from Arad to Edinburgh
to accompany him.
In November 2007 the magazine World Soccer named Copil among the top 50 young footballers in the world. However, he was unable to break into Hearts' first-team and went AWOL in March 2008, returning to Arad
after being substituted in a Youth Cup tie.
He was persuaded to return, but told to stay away until pre-season training began in June 2008. The Lithuania
n owners of the club suspected that he was only coming back in order to be paid over the summer break. Copil's homesickness and frustration at his absence of first-team football continued in 2008–09, with Hearts' manager Stephen Frail
stating that he was not yet good enough to play in the SPL
.
Copil left Hearts
in January 2009 at the culmination of his initial two-year deal. Hearts had reneged on the five-year option, but offered a one-year extension which they claimed entitled them to a transfer fee when he moved on.
In June 2010 he was linked with a move to Swindon Town
. Swindon distanced themselves from the move, revealing that Copil had been on a week's trial with them in March 2010, but they could not get clearance to play him in the reserves.
at U-17 level.
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
n footballer, who plays as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
for FC Bihor.
Early career
Copil began his career at Atletico Arad, and spent time at the Luceafărul Bucharesti development centre. He came to prominence in December 2006, when it was reported that LiverpoolLiverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
and Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
were interested in signing him. He was described in the press as "the new Hagi
Gheorghe Hagi
Gheorghe Hagi is a former Romanian footballer. He was famous for his passing, close control, long shots and was regarded as one of the best attacking midfielders in Europe during the 1980s and 1990s and is considered the greatest Romanian footballer of all time...
".
Heart of Midlothian
Heart of MidlothianHeart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
won the race to sign Copil, paying a fee in the region of £125,000 to secure him to a two-year deal with a further five-year option. His parents were flown over from Arad to Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
to accompany him.
In November 2007 the magazine World Soccer named Copil among the top 50 young footballers in the world. However, he was unable to break into Hearts' first-team and went AWOL in March 2008, returning to Arad
Arad, Romania
Arad is the capital city of Arad County, in western Romania, in the Crişana region, on the river Mureş.An important industrial center and transportation hub, Arad is also the seat of a Romanian Orthodox archbishop and features two universities, a Romanian Orthodox theological seminary, a training...
after being substituted in a Youth Cup tie.
He was persuaded to return, but told to stay away until pre-season training began in June 2008. The Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
n owners of the club suspected that he was only coming back in order to be paid over the summer break. Copil's homesickness and frustration at his absence of first-team football continued in 2008–09, with Hearts' manager Stephen Frail
Stephen Frail
Stephen Frail is a Scottish football manager and former player. He is currently the Celtic under-19s coach.-Playing career:...
stating that he was not yet good enough to play in the SPL
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
.
Copil left Hearts
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
in January 2009 at the culmination of his initial two-year deal. Hearts had reneged on the five-year option, but offered a one-year extension which they claimed entitled them to a transfer fee when he moved on.
Return to Romania
While AWOL from Hearts, Copil had announced his intention to train with Dinamo Bucharest, but he rejoined Atletico Arad on transfer deadline day. After playing in the first round of the 2009–10 Cupa României for Gloria Arad, he joined UTA Arad on loan.In June 2010 he was linked with a move to Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
. Swindon distanced themselves from the move, revealing that Copil had been on a week's trial with them in March 2010, but they could not get clearance to play him in the reserves.
International career
Copil has represented RomaniaRomania national football team
The Romania national football team is the national football team of Romania and is controlled by the Romanian Football Federation.Romania is one of only four national teams, the other three being Brazil, France, and Belgium, that took part in the first three World Cups.However, after that...
at U-17 level.