Alexandru Pop (footballer, born 2000)

Alexandru Mihai Constantin Pop (born 1 February 2000) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Liga I club Oțelul Galați.

Early career
Before starting his junior career with CFR Cluj at age seven, Pop practiced swimming, karate, and dancesport, respectively. He then moved to city rivals Universitatea Cluj, for which he made his senior debut at the age of 16 years and 2 months, in a 2–0 Liga II win over Sportul Snagov on 20 April 2016.

Viitorul Constanța and loans
Pop had a one-week try-out at Italian club Roma in the summer of 2016, but nothing came of it, and instead joined Viitorul Constanța's academy. He returned to Universitatea Cluj on loan in the summer of 2019, playing 39 games and scoring four goals in all competitions during his two-year stint back in the Liga II.

Pop represented Unirea Dej between 2021 and 2023, also in the second division. In the 2022–23 season, he totalled nine goals from 29 league appearances, as his side finished fourth in the promotion play-offs.

Oțelul Galați
On 5 June 2023, Pop agreed to a one-year deal with Oțelul Galați, newly promoted to the Liga I. He made his competitive debut on 14 July, equalising in a 1–1 home league draw to UTA Arad. On 12 August, he scored his third goal of the season in a 1–1 draw to his boyhood club Universitatea Cluj.

Pop scored once more against Universitatea Cluj on 17 December 2023, his goal being the only one of the away match. By the turn of the year, he became the second-best goal scorer of the league with nine goals, sharing the position with several other players. On 4 January 2024, he signed a contract extension lasting until 30 June 2025.

On 27 February 2024, Pop converted a free kick in a 2–2 home draw with his former youth side CFR Cluj.

Personal life
Pop was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Romanian parents from Huedin, Cluj County. They moved back to Romania when he was around two or three years old.

Pop has a bachelor's degree in public relations from the Babeș-Bolyai University.

Honours
Oțelul Galați
 * Cupa României runner-up: 2023–24