Lisandru Eissat Discusses Championship Move, Romania Choice and Ambitions

Bristol City and Romania national team defender Lisandru Eissat opened up about his career trajectory in a comprehensive interview with Romanian outlet GSP, discussing his transfer from Maccabi Haifa, his decision to represent Romania over Israel, and his ultimate ambition to reach the Premier League within two years. The 21-year-old center-back joined the English Championship side after the club triggered his 2.5 million euro release clause.

Reflecting on his rapid adaptation to English football, Eissat noted that his aggressive and fast-paced style has served him well. "I adapted excellently thanks to my playing style, which is aggressive, fast, and strong," he said. "When I arrived, I thought I would encounter certain difficulties, but luckily that didn't happen. The games here are extraordinarily intense, and I immediately got into the rhythm. The club believes in me and my abilities, viewing me as a long-term project with the expectation that I can reach the Premier League within two years at most."

Addressing the transfer fee, Eissat emphasized that he feels no pressure and is fully focused on his development. "It's not a large sum in terms of English football. I came here just to play football. The club has provided me with everything I need to improve, so I don't feel any pressure. I am happy to have met wonderful people, and from here the sky is the limit," he remarked.

A central theme of the interview was his choice to represent the senior Romanian national team after featuring for Israel's youth squads. Eissat explained that the Romanian Football Federation pursued him persistently, and meetings with officials convinced him that committing to Romania was the right path. He made his debut against Moldova in October 2025, describing the experience as deeply emotional despite encountering minor fan protests regarding foreign-born players.

The young defender also touched upon his personal life, mentioning that he is actively learning the Romanian language with a tutor in England to bridge any communication gaps with his national teammates. He firmly dismissed recent media fabricated rumors regarding an alleged dispute with assistant coach Jerry Ganea over language skills, calling it pure fake news and praising the supportive environment at the club and national team level.

Eissat grew visibly emotional when speaking about the late Mircea Lucescu, the legendary coach who handed him his international debut before passing away in April. "I cry when I have to talk about Mircea Lucescu. He was a very special person for me," Eissat shared with tears in his eyes. "He taught me a lot and gave me enormous confidence, even though we worked together for a very short time. Every time I go to Romania, I have to visit his grave. He was a significant figure in my life and profoundly shaped my personality."

Concluding with words on his work ethic, Eissat credited his father, Aviv Eissat, for instilling strict discipline. "My father looks at the team like a unit of soldiers. Discipline is very important to him. He tells me that talent alone isn't enough, and that mentality comes before everything else," Eissat concluded.