Octavian Popescu has officially relinquished the number 10 jersey at FCSB, passing it on to veteran Florin Tănase, who now inherits the iconic shirt. Concurrently, Denis Alibec has taken over the number 7 jersey, previously worn by Tănase. Popescu has chosen to revert to the number 37, a number he wore during his most successful season with the club in 2020/2021, signaling a fresh start and a return to form[1][2][3].
FCSB’s general manager Mihai Stoica clarified that this change was entirely Popescu’s decision, reflecting his desire to wear the number under which he thrived the most. The numbers 10 and 7 were allocated to Tănase and Alibec respectively after private discussions, particularly between Alibec and Popescu, underscoring a professional and amicable transition rather than any internal conflict[1][2][3].
Currently sidelined due to injury and absent from the squad for the Romanian Supercup match against CFR Cluj (2-1), Popescu is eager to make a strong comeback. His return to number 37 is seen as a symbolic gesture aimed at reigniting his peak performance levels following a challenging period. His FCSB career so far includes 185 appearances, 25 goals, and 23 assists, highlighting his significant contribution to the team[1].
The squad’s shirt numbers for the 2025-2026 season now feature:
| Player | Number |
|——————|——–|
| Octavian Popescu | 37 |
| Florin Tănase | 10 |
| Denis Alibec | 7 |
| Graovac | 4 |
| Politic | 20 |
| Perianu | 25 |
| … | … |
This reshuffling reflects FCSB’s strategic squad planning ahead of the new campaign, aiming to optimize player morale and on-field chemistry. For Popescu, this change could mark the beginning of a resurgence, while for Tănase and Alibec, it reaffirms their leadership roles within the team.
**Insight:** Popescu’s return to the number 37 shirt could signal a pivotal season for the young talent, potentially rekindling the form that once made him a key figure at FCSB amidst a squad reshuffle that balances experience and ambition.