Claudiu Keșeru, a 37-year-old striker who retired from football nearly a year ago, has made a surprising return to the field. After deciding to hang up his boots in October 2023, Keșeru ended a remarkable career in which he scored 268 goals at the club level. UTA Arad was the last team he played for before his initial retirement, but it seems the lure of the game was too strong to resist.
Bulgarian media outlets were quick to share the news of Keșeru’s comeback. The former international Romanian player has joined the squad of PFK Cherno More Varna, the vice-champions of Bulgaria. Blitz, a well-known sports publication, excitedly announced: “Bombshell! Keșeru will play in Bulgaria again. Ludogorets’ top scorer has joined Cherno More. While playing for Ludogorets, Keșeru bought an apartment in Varna, where he will now reside as a Cherno More player. The club eagerly anticipates his goal-scoring contributions.”
Keșeru’s return to the pitch culminated yesterday (August 12th) when he made his debut for Cherno More Varna, marking a year since he officially announced his retirement. Although he found the back of the net in the 75th minute during a match against Botev Vratsa, the goal was disallowed after a VAR review.
Before retiring, Keșeru had announced that he would be stepping away from professional football to focus on his personal business ventures in Oradea. However, the decision he made in the summer of 2023 has now been revised. Known as “The Bomber,” Keșeru felt he still had something to prove on the football field. Consequently, he signed a contract with Cherno More Varna, a team based in a country where he had previously won numerous titles with Ludogorets. According to reports, his salary with the Bulgarian vice-champions is just 3,000 euros.
After three weeks of intense training with his new team, Keșeru finally returned to official action, ending a 436-day hiatus. His last appearance before this was in a playoff match for promotion/relegation between UTA Arad and Gloria Buzău on June 4, 2023.
In the match against Botev Vratsa, Keșeru was brought on in the 73rd minute and needed just two minutes to score. It was his first goal since May 2023, when he last scored against FC Argeș (Superliga Romania). Velislav Vasilev provided the perfect pass, and Keșeru slotted the ball home from eight meters out. However, his joy was short-lived, as the goal was ruled out due to an offside decision against Vasilev.
Claudiu Keșeru experienced the peak of his football career while playing for Ludogorets from 2015 to 2021. During this period, he made 243 appearances, scored 139 goals, and provided 44 assists. His impressive performances contributed to Ludogorets securing six national championship titles, solidifying Keșeru’s legacy as one of the club’s most prolific players.
Claudiu Keșeru experienced the peak of his football career while playing for Ludogorets from 2015 to 2021. During this period, he made 243 appearances, scored 139 goals, and provided 44 assists. His impressive performances contributed to Ludogorets securing six national championship titles, solidifying Keșeru’s legacy as one of the club’s most prolific players.
