OFFICIAL: Ciprian Tătăruşanu sold to Nantes

We’ve been hearing rumors of this one for the past couple of weeks, and now it’s official. Nantes have bought Ciprian Tătăruşanu from Fiorentina for a fee right around €2.39 million, although that could rise if he hits certain incentives. He should step in as the starter for les Canaris right away, replacing club captain Rémy Riou. The move will also leave Marco Sportiello as the unquestioned first choice custodian in Florence.

Tata arrived back in 2014 on a Bosman from Steaua Bucharest and settled in as Neto’s backup. He made 8 appearances in relief of the Brazilian in his first year, then took command of the position when Neto moved onto undying fame at Juventus. To Tata’s credit, he wasn’t ever a downgrade from his more hyped predecessor, although he was a very different sort of keeper: rather than spectacular saves, he tended to position his unbelievably lanky body in the right place every time to avoid having to do anything crazy looking, and he controlled his area much more effectively.

Over the past two years, though, he improved. Now 31, he enjoyed a spectacular season as the Viola custodian, making several jump-out-of-your-chair-how-did-he-do-that saves (that frankly impossible one at Inter Milan was my favorite). Also firmly-entrenched as the starter for Romania, he’s clearly a goalkeeper in his prime.

With the logjam of goalkeepers, though, he was always the most likely to leave this summer, and when Corvino began tossing out the veterans, we all knew that Tata was a goner. Hopefully he adjusts well to life in France. We have nothing but respect and admiration for Ciprian, who made 101 appearances for Fiorentina, and wish him the best in his newest adventure.