Politehnica Iași has made it clear that promising Ghanaian centre-back Mohammed Umar will remain with the club for the foreseeable future, despite growing interest from several European teams. Umar joined Poli Iași in October 2024 on a free transfer and has been a key player for the Moldavian side, even though the club faced relegation.
The 22-year-old defender, who stands 1.93 meters tall, has attracted attention from notable Romanian clubs including Dinamo, Petrolul, and Rapid, as well as from abroad. Notably, Dutch club Feyenoord, UEFA Conference League finalists in 2022, scouted Umar during a spring 2024 match against Botoșani. However, Politehnica Iași’s management, led by club president Cornel Șfaițer, has decided not to entertain offers this summer, as none met the club’s valuation or expectations.
Șfaițer stated, “Umar will continue with us; there is no question of letting him go right now. We have discussed this internally and agreed to keep him at least until winter. We hope he stays healthy and continues to perform.” Umar’s market value is estimated at around €100,000 according to Transfermarkt, and his contract with Poli Iași runs until December 2026.
In the ongoing season, Umar has featured in 15 matches for Politehnica Iași and scored once. His strong performances have also earned him a place in the extended national team squad, highlighting his rising profile internationally.
The club acknowledges the financial benefits of player sales but remains focused on developing Umar’s potential before considering a move. President Șfaițer hinted at possible loan arrangements in the future but emphasized the club’s immediate priority is to maintain a strong squad.
Mohammed Umar’s retention signals Politehnica Iași’s determination to build a competitive team around young talents as they aim for promotion back to Romania’s top flight. For Umar, continued development at Poli Iași could pave the way for a significant move abroad in the coming years.