Igor Țîgîrlaș

Career

Igor Țîgîrlaș started his football career at the Youth Football School in Chișinău. His first coach was the legendary Nikolay Esin, and his second the equally legendary coach - Anatolii Nesmeyanov. At 16 years old he was invited to the Moldova U-17 team, which participated at "Football Federation of Moldova Cup". Having scored 2 goals and making 2 assists in three matches, and showing excellent performance, after the tournament he was invited by the Moldovan Champions - FC "Sheriff".

Țîgîrlaș played 2 years for Sheriff's second team and in so doing drew the attention of Shakhtar Donetsk. He signed the contract with Ukrainian giant, and at the same time secured himself a starter spot on the Moldova U-21 team, for whom he played more than 20 matches.

In 2005 Țîgîrlaș spent first part of the year in Arsenal Kharkiv and then he was transferred to another Ukrainian team — FC Kharkiv, where, thanks to his universalism (Țîgîrlaș is able to play on the right or left flank, forward or offense), he has been one of important players of the team. After Vladimir Bessonov was named new head coach of FC Kharkiv, the club parted with Țîgîrlaș and most of the other foreign players.

In the Spring of 2007, Igor Țîgîrlaș came to Zimbru Chişinău on loan from FC Kharkiv, becoming one of the brightest stars in Moldova of that period. He played 10 matches in the Moldovan championship, scored 1 goal, made 9 assists and was highly appreciated by supporters and specialists. In the semifinal of the Moldova Cup 2006/07 match against Sheriff he played in spite of an injury, yet he was voted as man of the match, according to the poll on the FC Zimbru web-site. In the Moldova Cup final, Zimbru won against Nistru, and Țîgîrlaș won the first trophy of his career. Despite playing at Zimbru for only 3 months, at the end of the year, he was included in the symbolic "Zimbru 2006/07 Ideal Team". ».

Igor Țîgîrlaș was to win two more trophies in 2007. In the Summer, the Latvian champions, FK Ventspils, bought his transfer from FC Kharkiv. With FK Ventspils, Țîgîrlaș won both the Latvian championship and the Latvian Cup. He also played in the Baltic League final, and was designated as one of the leaders of the team. When "Tsiga" came to FK Ventspils, this team was 14 points behind the then leaders, Liepājas Metalurgs, and had only theoretical chances to win the title. Nevertheless, FK Ventspils managed to come out ahead, much due to their victory in the head-to-head game against Liepājas Metalurgs, made possible by a phenomenal goal by Igor Țîgîrlaș. According to specialists, it was namely this goal that was key for ultimately winning the title. After the loss it suffered, Liepājas Metalurgs was demoralized and lost a lot of points in next matches, while FK Ventspils won all remaining matches and eventually won the title!

In 2008, Igor Țîgîrlaș, was as successful as in 2007. First, he showed an excellent performance during the "Commonwealth Cup - 2008" in St-Petersburg (another incredible goal, 2 assists, realized penalty in the penalty shoot-out). He continued to score for his team in Latvian championship and Latvian Cup matches. Despite playing quite a bit in defence, he still manages to score. The Moldovan midfielder could have won another title, but his team suffered was surprisingly defeated by Daugava.

In 2009, scored a priceless away goal against BATE Borisov, and in so doing qualified his team, FK Ventspils, for the Third Qualifying Round of the Champions League competition. FK Ventspils lost to Zurich in the Third Qualifying Round, 0:3 at home, and 1:2 away, Igor Țîgîrlaș scoring his team's only goal against Zurich with a magnificent strike from outside the penalty area. FK Ventspils automatically qualified for the Group Stage of the Europa League, and Igor Țîgîrlaș was the team's new undisputed leader.

In February 2010, he joined FC Metalurh Zaporizhya in Ukraine. On 26 February 2011, it was announced that Țîgîrlaș joined Chornomorets on a 6-month loan from FC Metalurh Zaporizhya, with the right to purchase at the end of the season. This right was exercised in June, 2011, and Țîgîrlaș joined Chornomorets on a permanent basis.

Before the start of the 2012 season Igor was loaned to the Latvian Higher League club FK Ventspils. In June 2012 his contract with Chornomorets ended.

In February 2013, Țîgîrlaș signed for Kazakhstan Premier League club FC Astana.

Champions League

In the same 2007 year Țîgîrlaș debuted in UEFA Champions League, where he played 4 matches. In the 1st qualifying round FK Ventspils won against Walse champions - TNK, in the 2nd round Latvian team was eliminated by "Red Bull-Salzburg" (Austria). Before first match between FK Ventspils and Red Bull, head coach of Austrian team notable Giovanni Trapattoni personally distinguished Igor Țîgîrlaș:

— I watched FK Ventspils in Wales and noticed good technique of the team, its equilibrium on the field and tactical competence. However in the 2nd qualifying round of champions League there no other teams. In Wales I marked out performance of players with number 9, 17 and 22 (Igot Țîgîrlaș), - said Italian coach.

In 2008/2009 season FK Ventspils was close to 3rd qualifying round of Champions League. FK Ventspils lost away in the last minutes to Norwegian side SK Brann in 1st leg. In seconde leg, despite playing in 10 men after a their player was sent off, FK Ventspils was leading 2:0 after half time. But finally Norwegians managed to score a goal and to win on aggregate, to meet in latest round famous Olympique de Marseille.

Moldova National team

Until 2006 Igor Țîgîrlaș was key player of Moldova U-21 team, for which he played 21 matches. Winter 2007 Țîgîrlaș was invited for the first time to National team of Moldova.

Achievements

Interesting facts