Former Romanian footballer and Apold mayor Gabi Mureșan dies at 44 after lake drowning
Former CFR Cluj and Romania midfielder Gabi Mureșan, 44, died after being pulled from a lake near Apold, the commune he led as mayor. Rescuers attempted revival but the former international was declared dead at hospital.
Incident at the lake
Gabi Mureșan was spending Wednesday evening at a lake near the village of Șaeș, just outside Apold in Mureș County, alongside a group of acquaintances. The group used a sauna and then, according to preliminary reports, Mureșan entered the cold water of the lake. Witnesses said he fell ill immediately, disappearing beneath the surface. His companions noticed his absence about an hour later and alerted emergency services.
Rescue effort
Firefighters from the Sighișoara detachment, a SMURD ambulance crew and a Salvamont Mureș team were dispatched. A search operation lasting several hours ended after midnight, when Mureșan’s body was located and pulled from the water. Rescuers began resuscitation at once.
The victim was extracted from the water and rescue crews immediately began resuscitation procedures. He was then transported urgently to the Târgu Mureș Emergency Department by a SMURD ambulance. Despite the efforts of the medical teams, the person lost the fight for life.
- Mureșan and friends use a sauna by the lake.
- Mureșan enters the cold lake water, falls ill and disappears.
- Companions notice his absence and call emergency services.
- Rescuers search the lake for several hours.
- Body is located and pulled from the water; resuscitation begins.
- Transported to UPU Târgu Mureș and declared dead.
A glittering football career
Mureșan, born in Sighișoara on 13 February 1982, rose through Gaz Metan Mediaș and Gloria Bistrița before the transfer that defined his playing days, to CFR Cluj in 2007. Over six seasons in Gruia he was a linchpin of a side that dominated Romanian football, collecting three Liga I titles (2008, 2010, 2012), three Romanian Cups and two Romanian Supercups. The midfielder also featured in historic European nights, including wins over AS Roma and Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League. He won nine caps for the Romanian national team, contributing two assists.
After a stint in Russia with Tom Tomsk, Mureșan returned home and rounded off his career at ASA Târgu Mureș, adding a third Supercup in 2015 before retiring in 2017.
- Born in Sighișoara, Romania.
- Joins CFR Cluj, beginning an era of dominance.
- Wins first Romanian league title with CFR Cluj.
- Second league title and first Romanian Cup.
- Third Liga I title; part of the team that beat Manchester United in the Champions League.
- Wins Romanian Supercup with ASA Târgu Mureș.
- Retires from professional football.
- Elected mayor of Apold with over 63% of the vote.
- Re‑elected mayor with 89% of the vote.
- Dies in a drowning incident in Apold.
Life after sport
Rather than move into coaching, Mureșan honoured a promise to his wife to spend more time at home after years of training camps and travel. He settled in Apold, the village of his grandparents, and opened a guesthouse. Casa Trappold, a restored Saxon house, became a family‑friendly retreat with a barbecue area, traditional wood‑fired kitchen and playground.
I didn’t think about a guesthouse at first. I bought this Saxon house six‑seven years ago. It was derelict and had a cellar. I took it for the cellar and started fixing it up for myself and friends, a place to drink good wine, I wasn’t thinking of accommodation.
He entered local politics and was elected mayor of Apold in 2020 with over 63% of the vote, securing re‑election in 2024 with almost 89%. The former footballer said he had grown tired of the football circuit and valued the chance to serve his community.
