Gigi Ion (born 15 September 1967), also known as Ion Gigi, is a Romanian former professional footballer and manager. Ion played as a defender or midfielder and mostly for Oțelul Galați, but he also played for other teams as: Universitatea Cluj, Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț, Dacia Unirea Brăila and German side Sandhausen. Gigi Ion is considered a symbol of Oțelul, being introduced in 2014 by the Dunărea Bătrâna publication in the top 50 symbols of the club from Galați. Ion always shown his attachment for Oțelul and even refused an important offer from FC Steaua București, years later he stated: I wanted to play for Oțelul, not anywhere else. It really matters for me to feel something for the team I play, in this way I was raised. Despite its loyalty, he is considered one of the most unlucky footballers, in his career Gigi suffered two double tibia and fibula fractures, first in 1987 after which he, with much sacrifice spirit, returned to the pitch, having a metal rod in his leg and the second one in 2000, injury that ended his career. After retirement Gigi Ion worked for 5 years as a manager, later becoming a sports teacher.

Honours

Oțelul Galați

Divizia B: 1985–86, 1990–91

Universitatea Cluj

Divizia B: 1991–92

Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț

Divizia B: 1992–93

Sandhausen

Oberliga Baden-Württemberg: 1999–2000

Notes

References

External links

1967 births

Living people

Footballers from Galați

Romanian men's footballers

Men's association football defenders

Men's association football midfielders

Liga I players

Liga II players

ASC Oțelul Galați players

FC Universitatea Cluj players

CSM Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț players

AFC Dacia Unirea Brăila players

Regionalliga players

SV Sandhausen players

Romanian expatriate men's footballers

Romanian expatriate sportspeople in Germany

Expatriate men's footballers in Germany

Romanian football managers

ASC Oțelul Galați managers

CS Sporting Vaslui managers

AFC Dacia Unirea Brăila managers

Gigi Ion