After three years abroad marked by inconsistent performances, Romanian midfielder Alexandru Cicâldău returned to Universitatea Craiova aiming to revive his career. Unfortunately, medical issues sidelined him since February, and now his loan deal with Craiova is set to expire this summer, leaving his next destination unclear.
Cicâldău, once a Romanian national team regular, has not featured since Mircea Lucescu’s tenure began. Giovanni Becali, his agent, confirmed that the decision now lies with Universitatea Craiova, emphasizing that the loan was never a permanent transfer and that the club’s stance will determine his future.
Meanwhile, Universitatea Craiova’s sporting director Sorin Cârțu highlighted an active transfer window with several signings, including Luca Băsceanu, Mihnea Rădulescu, and others, while announcing plans to bring in at least one more forward this summer. Cârțu expressed optimism about the squad’s reconstruction, targeting a top-three league finish, the championship title, participation in European competitions, and winning the Romanian Cup—a response to recent seasons that fell short of expectations.
Contextually, Cicâldău’s uncertain status follows a challenging spell abroad. After leaving Craiova in 2021 for Galatasaray for €6.5 million, he struggled to establish himself, including a loan to Konyaspor where he scored just once in 31 matches. Galatasaray reportedly prefers to sell him for around €5 million, but no concrete offers have materialized. There was also a near move to Belgian side Westerlo that ultimately fell through.
Should Cicâldău remain at Craiova or move elsewhere, his form and fitness will be crucial for both club ambitions and his hopes to return to the national team setup, reflecting the broader challenge of career revival after a turbulent period abroad.