Ovidiu Petre (born 22 March 1982) is a former Romanian footballer who played as a defensive midfielder. Considered a veritable talent in his early playing years, he had his career hindered by numerous knee injuries.
Petre began his professional career at FC National Bucharest during the 1999âÂÂ00 season, making his first team debut in a 3âÂÂ2 defeat to Rapid BucureÃÂti on 22 April 2000. The first two seasons spent at FC National did not brought him many professional successes, making only ten appearances. In the 2001âÂÂ02 season FC National were so close to winning the championship. Petre improved his performances and became an essential player for his team. In the European Cups, Petre played 6 matches for FC National in the UEFA Cup.
In 2003, he was transferred to Galatasaray. The Turkish team paid 1 million ⬠for the midfielder. He made his Süper Lig debut on 13 September 2003 in a 1âÂÂ0 loss against Konyaspor. He played 4 matches with Galatasaray in the season 2003âÂÂ04 in UEFA Champions League. After almost two seasons at Galatasaray, Petre did not confirm his skills and he was transferred at the middle of the 2004âÂÂ05 season to FCU Politehnica Timià Âoara.
After one season spent at FC Timià Âoara, the coach that properly launched Ovidiu Petre's career, Cosmin OlÃÂroiu, left Poli and signed a contract with Steaua BucureÃÂti. Petre proved he's not mature yet and he made public his intentions to cancel his contract with Poli in order to play for the new team of his favourite coach. After many negotiations Petre got his transfer to Steaua in the beginning of the 2006âÂÂ07 season.
In August 2006, however, he signed a 5-year contract with Steaua BucureÃÂti for a fee of â¬1,000,000, joining his former manager Cosmin OlÃÂroiu once again. He made his debut for Steaua on 9 September 2006 in the victory against FC Argeà  with 1âÂÂ0. Petre scored his first goal for Steaua against his former team, Poli TimiÃÂoara, in a 3âÂÂ1 win. In the 2007âÂÂ08 season, he scored two consecutive goals, one with Pandurii Targu-Jiu in a 1âÂÂ0 win and the other one in the derby with CFR Cluj, which Steaua won with 3âÂÂ1. After that game the championship title was still a hope for Steaua, getting behind with 9 points of the leader, CFR Cluj. His first goal in the UEFA Champions League was against FC Sevilla, even though he scored Steaua lost the match with 1âÂÂ2. In August 2008, Italian club AC Torino showed interest to the defensive midfielder. Steaua owner, Gigi Becali, has lowered the possible transfer fee down to â¬7,8 million. On 21 October 2008, he scored his second Champions League goal against Olympique Lyonnais.
On 18 June 2010, Petre signed a one-year renewable contract with Al-Nassr of Saudi Arabia for $1,500,000. In his first match for Al-Nassr, Petre scored the winning goal in a 1âÂÂ0 win over Najran.
After the contract with Al-Nassr ended, Petre took an offer to join Italian Serie B side Modena. It was confirmed that he would sign a one-year contract on 26 July 2011.
Petre earned 23 caps for Romania and scored one goal. He made his national debut on 17 April 2002 in a 2âÂÂ1 win over Poland.
He is not related to Ciprian Petre. But he is married with Oana Nistor and they have Eva as a daughter.
ACS Poli TimiÃÂoara