FCSB overhauls youth squad and targets European competition after disappointing season

Romanian club FCSB has released the majority of its 2007‑born youth players following a disappointing run in the UEFA Youth League, where the team was eliminated in the third round on penalties by Hungary's Puskás Akadémia. Only a handful of players – goalkeeper Matei Popa, midfielder Mihai Toma, forward David Popa, and loanee Ricardo Pădurariu – remain under contract, while others such as Alexandru Maxim have moved to Universitatea Craiova.

Club president Mihai Stoica praised Universitatea Craiova’s transfer activity, saying the rival’s acquisitions position them well for European competition and expressed a desire for FCSB to build a similar squad to compete in continental tournaments. He also highlighted the club’s recent failure to reach the SuperLiga play‑offs, though they qualified for the Champions League preliminary round. Meanwhile, Farul Constanța will represent Romania in the upcoming UEFA Youth League edition.

These moves signal a strategic reset for FCSB’s youth development and senior squad as they aim to improve domestic performance and secure a foothold in European competitions.