David Matei, the 19-year-old midfielder, has been a revelation for Universitatea Craiova this season, helping the team win its first title in 35 years and the domestic cup. But what makes his story even more remarkable is the fact that he was acquired by Craiova for a mere €75,000 from CSA Steaua București in 2025.
Matei’s transfer was seen as a shrewd move by Craiova, as he was one of the top young players from CSA Steaua’s youth academy. The other talented youngsters, including Răzvan Florea, Matei Marin, Shehait Hussein, and Mario Brumă, left the club for free, while Matei was sold to Craiova for a fraction of his market value. According to transfermarkt.com, Matei was valued at €250,000 at the time of his transfer.
Rapid Rise to Prominence of David Matei
David Matei’s impact on the pitch was immediate, as he started to play regularly after replacing the injured Mihnea Rădulescu. He quickly became an integral part of the team, helping Craiova win the league title and the domestic cup. Matei’s impressive performances caught the attention of the national team coach, Gică Hagi, who included him in the senior squad for the friendly matches against Georgia and Wales. Matei made his debut for the national team and even provided an assist for the winning goal in the match against Wales.
David Matei The Next Big Thing in Romanian Football
Matei’s value has skyrocketed since his transfer to Craiova, with his market value increasing from €250,000 to €1.7 million in just one year. This has made him a target for other clubs, with some sources suggesting that he could be sold for €3-4 million abroad. In anticipation of a potential transfer, Craiova has offered CSA Steaua €300,000 to buy back the 20% stake in Matei’s future transfer fees that the club had retained when selling him to Craiova.
The offer is currently being considered by CSA Steaua, which is facing a financial crisis and is relying on a budgetary rectification expected in July to address its financial issues. If Craiova is successful in buying back the stake, it could mean a significant windfall for the club, which has been eyeing a major transfer coup in the offseason. For Matei, the future looks bright, with his talent and hard work earning him a spot in the national team and a potential move to a top European club.