Sergiu CÃÂtÃÂlin Hanca (; born 4 April 1992) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as a winger or a right-back for Liga I club Petrolul PloieÃÂti.
Hanca began his senior career with spells at Snagov, Bihor Oradea, and his hometown club ASA Târgu MureÃÂ, before making a name for himself at Dinamo BucureÃÂti. He moved abroad for the first time by signing with Cracovia in 2019, for which he appeared in over 100 Ekstraklasa matches. Three years later, Hanca returned to Romania at Universitatea Craiova.
Internationally, Hanca recorded his debut for Romania in June 2017, in a 1âÂÂ3 FIFA World Cup qualifier loss to Poland.
Hanca played football as a youngster for his hometown club FCM Târgu MureÃÂ. In 2009, he joined Liga II team Snagov, for which he amassed 38 league games and one goal. At the start of 2012, Hanca had a brief stint at Bihor Oradea.
During mid-2012, Hanca was brought back by his former youth side FCM Târgu MureÃÂ. He made 22 appearances and scored two goals during the 2013âÂÂ14 season, as his team achieved promotion to the Liga I.
On 8 July 2015, Hanca won his first career trophy after his clubâÂÂwhich was renamed ASA Târgu MureÃÂâÂÂdefeated FC Steaua BucureÃÂti 1âÂÂ0 in the Supercupa României. He recorded his debut in European competitions on 6 August 2015, starting in a 2âÂÂ1 away victory over Saint-ÃÂtienne in the Europa League play-off round.
On 8 January 2016, Hanca signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with fellow Liga I team Dinamo BucureÃÂti. He made his official debut for "the Red Dogs" in a 1âÂÂ0 league win over BotoÃÂani, on 14 February. On 17 May, he started in the Cupa României final played against CFR Cluj, which Dinamo lost 4âÂÂ5 at the penalty shootout.
Hanca scored his first goal on 17 October 2016, in a 2âÂÂ1 victory against Universitatea Craiova in the Liga I. On the 30th the next month, he converted a penalty in a 3âÂÂ1 derby defeat of FC Steaua BucureÃÂti. On 20 May 2017, he won the Cupa Ligii trophy after his side defeated ACS Poli TimiÃÂoara 2âÂÂ0 in the final.
Sergiu Hanca joined Cracovia in January 2019, transferring from Dinamo BucureÃÂti for a fee reportedly around â¬60,000. His debut for Cracovia in February 2019 he scored the winning goal in a 2âÂÂ1 victory over Piast Gliwice. His performances made him one of the teamâÂÂs top contributors, and ahead of a season he was named captain of Cracovia reflecting his importance on and off the pitch.
By midâÂÂ2022, after roughly three and a half seasons, he had made around 115 appearances, scored 19 goals, and provided 20 assists for Cracovia in all competitions, according to Romanian media reporting his departure.
In summer 2022, Hanca left Cracovia and returned to Romania.
On 29 July 2022, Hanca returned to Romania and its Liga I by signing a three-year deal with Universitatea Craiova. He scored his only goal in a 2âÂÂ1 local derby win over FC U Craiova, on 7 August.
Hanca soon fell out of favour with head coach Mirel RÃÂdoi and the club's directors, being sent to the reserve team and suing them for â¬2 million. He terminated his contract on 18 June 2023, after receiving â¬120,000 in compensations.
On 5 July 2023, Hanca agreed to a contract with Petrolul PloieÃÂti.
In March 2017, Hanca was selected by manager Christoph Daum in Romania's squad for a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Denmark. On 10 June that year, he made his debut by coming on as a substitute in a 1âÂÂ3 loss to Poland in the same competition.
Hanca married his girlfriend Andreea in May 2016, and their wedding took place in Târgu Mureàin the summer of the same year. The couple is known for its charity work.
ASA Târgu MureÃÂ
Dinamo BucureÃÂti
Cracovia
Individual