Serghei Cleșcenco


Serghei Cleșcenco is a retired Moldovan footballer, who holds the record for the most goals scored in a single season by a foreigner in Israel. He is former manager of FC Zimbru Chișinău.

Early career

After a successful period with Zimbru Chișinău, Cleșcenco was taken on trial by English club Watford in early 1998. He impressed, but work permit issues, along with Zimbru Chișinău asking for too much money prevented the deal from going through.
In 1999, Cleșcenco joined Maccabi Haifa from Moldovan club Zimbru Chișinău. It was one of the most successful starts ever for a foreigner in Israel as he bagged 22 goals in his first season topping the record set by Polish striker Andrzej Kubica for most goals scored by a foreigner in Israel in a single season. After another strong season in Haifa, he moved to Hapoel Tel Aviv, where he was part of the squad that reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup. He scored one of the goals as they memorably knocked out Chelsea.

International goals

#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
11 September 1994Sheriff Stadium, Tiraspol1–02–1Friendly
21 September 1994Sheriff Stadium, Tiraspol2–02–1Friendly
316 November 1994Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia1–11–4UEFA Euro 1996 qualifier
47 June 1995Stadionul Republican, Chișinău2–12–3UEFA Euro 1996 qualifier
510 November 1996Stadion GKS, Katowice1–21–21998 FIFA World Cup qualifier
620 August 1998Spordikeskuse Staadion, Kohtla-Järve1–01–0Friendly
718 August 1999Népstadion, Budapest1–11–1Friendly
826 April 2000Stadio Olimpico, Serravalle1–01–0Friendly
91 September 2001Stadionul Republican, Chișinău1–02–02002 FIFA World Cup qualifier
105 September 2001Štadión na Sihoti, Trenčín1–02–42002 FIFA World Cup qualifier
1116 August 2006Zimbru Stadium, Chișinău3–23–2Friendly

Honours

As a player

Zimbru Chișinău
Maccabi Haifa
Hapoel Tel Aviv
Milsami