Cristian Costel Melinte (born 9 May 1988) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as a full back.
He began his career at Fortuna Covaci, but just some months later he went to play for Auxerre Lugoj in Liga II.
[2] He was acquired by Palermo in a free transfer in August 2009, after a successful trial with the Sicilians, being awarded a four-year contract with the rosanero club.
Melinte's performance was then verbally criticized by club chairman Maurizio Zamparini after the Romanian caused a penalty (then scored) with the game being 2–2, and then making a mistake that was instrumental in Bari's fourth goal.
[5] He returned at Palermo at the end of his loan spell, but no interested party was found and he was subsequently excluded from the first team.