Romanian club CSM Slatina has reinforced its senior team by signing 27-year-old striker Oscar Siafa, marking their fifth addition ahead of the new season. Born in Madrid and holding dual citizenship with Equatorial Guinea, for which he is an international, Siafa brings a wealth of European experience to the Oltenia-based side. Standing at 1.91 meters, the forward is known for his physical strength and aerial ability. Most recently, he played in Italy’s Serie C with Pro Vercelli, and his career includes stints in Spain (CF Fuenlabrada, FC Cartagena B), Greece (Olympiakos Volou, Niki Volou), and Malta (Birkirkara FC), where he competed in top-flight football and European competitions. His arrival follows a strong trial performance, including a goal in a recent friendly, and head coach Claudiu Niculescu is optimistic that Siafa could emulate the impact of former player Jordan Gele, currently a champion with FCSB, with the advantage of youth on his side.
In addition to strengthening the senior squad, CSM Slatina has made a strategic appointment in its youth development structure by naming Marius Codescu as the new technical director of the club’s Children and Juniors Center. Codescu brings extensive experience from Romanian and international football academies, including notable roles at the Gheorghe Hagi Academy, Al Dhafra Club in the UAE, and the Zimbru Academy in Moldova, where he guided a youth team to two UEFA Youth League rounds. His recent tenure includes directing the Academies of Viitorul Cluj and Petrolul Ploiești, institutions ranked among Romania’s top youth programs. His expertise lies in a holistic approach to player development, focusing on technical, tactical, and psychological growth. CSM Slatina is aiming to leverage Codescu’s vision to cultivate local talent and build a successful academy capable of producing professional-level players.
This dual investment in experienced foreign talent and proven youth development expertise underscores CSM Slatina’s ambition to elevate both its immediate competitive prospects and long-term footballing infrastructure.
*Insight: The signing of Oscar Siafa coupled with Marius Codescu’s appointment signals CSM Slatina’s strategic blend of experience and youth development as key to climbing Romania’s football hierarchy.*