STEPHAN Negru is concentrating on establishing himself in club football before making any decisions on who he might play for on the international stage.
The 20-year-old centre back made his Oxford United debut as a substitute in the draw at home to Sheffield Wednesday, before making his first start at Port Vale.
Negru officially joined the U’s in January, arriving from League of Ireland Premier Division side Shelbourne.
READ ALSO: Defender admits to struggling for confidence under Karl Robinson
Although born in the Republic of Ireland, the defender would be eligible for Moldova as that is where his parents are from.
Negru said: “There have been conversations but I’m just taking my time.
“I was focusing on here, on club football, to get my game time first of all and then try to kick on with the team.
“That’s obviously another thing to think about but I’m just focusing now on Oxford and trying to help the team as much as I can.
“I was born in Ireland and I’ve lived there my whole life so I’d love to play for Ireland but my Moldovan allegiance, I’m not against whatsoever.
“My family and my blood is all from there.
“I’m just focusing on my club football right now and then I’ll see what happens.”
Negru’s comments echo those from when he joined United.
At the time, he said: “Any boy would like to play for their country – I was born in Ireland but my parents are from Moldova so I have options there.
“I’ve had one or two conversations with the countries.
“I’m focusing on my football here at the club and trying to settle in, and we’ll see where the rest of it goes.”
READ AGAIN: New signing Stephan Negru on why he has decision to make at international level
Negru has earned plaudits from both his teammates and head coach Liam Manning after stepping into the first team picture during the past week.
During stoppage time of the goalless draw at Vale, Dennis Politic was shown a straight red card following an aerial duel with Negru, who left the field with a bloodied nose and was replaced by Tyler Smith.
On giving Negru his first start, Manning said: “Sometimes you can overthink it, everybody has to make a full debut at some point.
“He’s trained really well and did well in the short time he was on Friday.
“Their nines are difficult to play against and I thought he stepped up well.”
Got my crystal ball out and had a crack at predicting the results for the run-ins of the teams in the League One relegation battle, and where that would lead #oufc https://t.co/VxLcYJxOt7
— Liam Rice (@OxMailLiamRice) April 12, 2023
At Vale Park, Stuart Findlay played alongside Negru in the heart of the U’s defence.
The former Kilmarnock man said of Negru: “I thought Stephan did absolutely brilliantly, he’s been excellent since he came in the door.
“He’s young and hungry, he’s willing to learn and put his body in where it hurts.
“He was brilliant and I can’t speak highly enough of him, he trains really hard every day and works really hard.
“I’m glad he got his chance and that he took it.”
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About the author
To sign up to Liam’s latest Oxford United newsletter for free, click here: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/newsletters/
Formerly the politics reporter for the Oxford Mail, Liam now covers all things Oxford United.
Liam attends the U’s home and away, as well as covering other big sports stories across the county.
His Oxford United newsletter is released every Saturday morning at 6am.
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