Denis Drăguș

Denis Mihai Drăguș (born 6 July 1999) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Süper Lig club Trabzonspor and the Romania national team.

Drăguș began his senior career at Viitorul Constanța, before moving abroad to Standard Liège in 2019. After five years under contract at the Belgian club, which included several loan spells in Italy and Turkey, he transferred to Trabzonspor in 2024.

Internationally, Drăguș recorded his full debut for Romania in September 2018, in a 2–2 draw with Serbia. He represented his country in the UEFA Euro 2024, achieving first place in their group and advancing to the round of 16.

Viitorul Constanța
Drăguș made his senior debut for Viitorul Constanța on 29 October 2015, in a 1–0 win over Botoșani in the Cupa României. He played his first Liga I game on 27 August 2017, coming on as a substitute for Aurelian Chițu in the 87th minute of a 1–2 loss to Concordia Chiajna.

On 28 November 2017, Drăguș scored his first career goal in a 3–2 defeat against Botoșani, also in the national cup.

Standard Liège
On 7 August 2019, Drăguș joined Belgian team Standard Liège in a deal reportedly worth €2 million plus 30% interest on a future transfer. He recorded his debut for Les Rouches on 1 September 2019, in a 1–0 loss to Anderlecht at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium.

On 15 September 2020, Drăguș agreed to a one-season loan with an option to buy at Crotone. He made his Serie A debut five days later, in a 4–1 defeat to Genoa. Drăguș made a total of nine appearances during his time in Italy, starting only once. Upon his return to Liège, he netted his first goal for Standard in a 5–2 loss to Antwerp on 8 August 2021.

On 16 January 2022, Drăguș scored an 89th-minute equaliser in a 1–1 draw at Anderlecht. He achieved his highest goal tally at Standard in the 2021–22 campaign, amassing six goals from 28 league appearances. Drăguș moved on loan with an option to buy to Serie B club Genoa on 26 January 2023, but appeared sparringly during his five months at the club.

On 13 September 2023, amid rumours of a transfer to Rapid București in his home country, Standard sent Drăguș on a season-long loan to Süper Lig team Gaziantep. Deployed as a main striker by his coach and compatriot Marius Șumudică, he played 32 games and scored 14 goals in the national championship.

Trabzonspor
On 25 June 2024, Turkish side Trabzonspor announced the signing of Drăguș for a rumoured transfer fee of €1.7 million.

International career
On 10 September 2018, Drăguș made his debut for the Romania national team in a 2–2 UEFA Nations League draw with Serbia. The following year, he was intended to represent the under-21 side in the 2019 European Championship, but was sidelined from the squad due to a calcaneus fracture.

Drăguș scored his first senior international goal on 17 November 2022, in a 1–2 friendly loss to Slovenia at Cluj Arena. He netted again three days later, in a 5–0 away thrashing of Moldova.

On 7 June 2024, Drăguș was named in Romania's squad for the Euro 2024. Ten days later, he scored a goal in a 3–0 win over Ukraine in the opening group match, aiding to his country's first victory in the competition in 24 years. He started in all four games of the tournament, as Romania won its group but was eliminated by the Netherlands in the round of 16.

Style of play
Drăguș began his career as a winger, but has also performed proficiently as a main striker.

Personal life
Drăguș's father, Mihai, was also a professional footballer who played in South Korea and Russia, as well as in his home country.

Drăguș and his partner Vanessa have two children together. In 2021, following the birth of their first daughter, he did not invite his parents to attend her baptism.

International

 * Scores and results list Romania's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Drăguș goal.

Honours
Viitorul Constanța
 * Cupa României: 2018–19
 * Supercupa României: 2019