[1][3][4] He made his Divizia A debut on 25 March 1962, playing for Jiul Petroșani in a 3–2 victory against UTA Arad.

[1][3][4] During his period spent at Rapid, Dumitriu made a successful couple in the team's offence with Ion Ionescu, winning the first league title from the club's history in the 1966–67 season in which he was used by coach Valentin Stănescu in 26 matches in which he scored 12 goals, also winning two Balkans Cup.

[6] He suffered a lung illness which kept him off the field for one year and a half, being taken by Stănescu at Steagul Roșu Brașov, trying to help him relaunch his career.

[1][3][4] He also made four appearances in European competitions during his career (including one appearance in the Inter-cities Fairs Cup), having three in the 1967–68 European Cup when he helped The Railwaymen eliminate Trakia Plovdiv and advance to the following round where they were eliminated by Juventus.

[1][3][4] Emil Dumitriu played six games and scored three goals at international level for Romania, making his debut under coach Ilie Oană on 23 October 1965 in a 2–1 away loss against Turkey at the 1966 World Cup qualifiers.