FC Viitorul Constanța

Viitorul Constanța
Full name Fotbal Club Viitorul Constanța
Nickname(s) Puștii lui Hagi (Hagi's Kids)
Short name Viitorul
Founded 2009 (2009)
Ground Viitorul
Ground Capacity 4,500
Owner Gheorghe Hagi
Chairman Pavel Peniu
Manager Gheorghe Hagi
League Liga I
2016–17 Liga I, 1st
Website Club website

Fotbal Club Viitorul Constanța (Romanian pronunciation: [vi.iˈtorul konˈstant͡sa]), commonly known as Viitorul Constanța, or simply as Viitorul, is a Romanian professional football club based in Ovidiu, Constanța County, currently playing in the Liga I.

Founded in 2009 by former Romanian international Gheorghe Hagi, the club is particularly known for promoting young talents from its academy,[1] hence the nickname "Hagi's Kids". Viitorul had its first major success in 2017, when they became the first club from the county to win the national title.[2]

The team plays its home matches in blue and black kits at the Stadionul Viitorul, situated a few kilometres north of the city of Constanța.

History

Former logo, now used by Viitorul II and youth teams only.

Founding and early years (2009–2012)

Viitorul Constanța was founded in the summer of 2009 and enrolled in the Liga III, the third tier of the Romanian football league system, after acquiring the playing rights of CSO Ovidiu. It has been owned since its creation by former Romanian international Gheorghe Hagi.[1][3]

During the team's first season in Romanian football, they achieved promotion to the 2010–11 Liga II in round 33 after a fierce battle with ACS Berceni towards the end of the campaign. In the 2011–12 Liga II, Viitorul finished second in the standings and were promoted to the top-flight the following season.

Ascension in the first league (2012–)

In the 2012–13 season, Viitorul Constanța made its first appearance in the Liga I in the club's history. With 8 victories, 12 draws, and 13 defeats, they finished 13th place with 36 points thereby avoiding relegation. The club had notable victories against Steaua București (5–2) and Dinamo București (3–2), however, Viitorul continued to be an ever-present in relegation battles for the following two campaigns.

In 2016, Viitorul qualified for the championship play-offs by finishing in the 5th place, thus earning a spot in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League and being drawn against Belgian side Gent. In their first European match, they were defeated 0–5 at the Ghelamco Arena.

On 13 May 2017, Viitorul Constanța managed to win the Liga I after a 1–0 home victory over CFR Cluj; the first major trophy in their history which also ensured qualification for the UEFA Champions League.[2] With the average age of the squad being 22.2 years, "Hagi's Kids" were the season's youngest league champion in Europe.[4][5] In the third qualifying round of the Champions League, after a 1–0 win against APOEL at home, Viitorul once again suffered a harsh away defeat (0–4 a.e.t.).

Youth program

Viitorul Constanța is best known for developing young players in Romania and possesses the top youth facilities of any club in the country.[6]

Grounds

Viitorul Stadium.

During 2009–12 Viitorul played its Liga III and Liga II home matches on the old local stadium in Ovidiu. After the promotion to the Liga I it played its first 3 home matches on the Oțelul Stadium in Galați and afterwards it moved on the Farul Stadium in Constanța, with a capacity of 15,500 people all on seats. In the summer of 2013 it moved to play its home matches in Chiajna on the Concordia Stadium. They returned to Ovidiu on the Stadionul Viitorul in the summer of 2015.

Honours

Leagues

Cups

Players

First team squad

As of 3 August 2017

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 Romania GK Árpád Tordai
2 Romania DF Andrei Dumitraș
3 Romania DF Sorin Rădoi
4 Romania DF Marius Constantin
5 Romania DF Sebastian Mladen
7 Romania FW Florinel Coman
8 Romania MF Carlo Casap
10 Romania MF Ovidiu Herea
12 Romania GK Victor Rîmniceanu
13 Romania FW Florin Cioablă
15 Romania DF Bogdan Țîru (captain)
17 Romania MF Andrei Ciobanu
18 Spain MF Dani López
19 Romania DF Robert Hodorogea
20 Romania FW George Țucudean
21 France DF Kévin Boli
No. Position Player
22 Romania DF Cristian Ganea
23 Romania MF Alexandru Cicâldău
24 Romania FW Denis Drăguș
25 Romania FW Aurelian Chițu
26 Romania FW Alexandru Mățan
27 Brazil MF Eric Pereira
28 Romania FW Ionuț Vînă
29 Romania DF Virgil Ghiță
30 Romania DF Ciprian Perju
31 Romania GK Alexandru Buzbuchi
33 Romania DF Tiberiu Căpușă
45 Romania GK Cosmin Dur-Bozoancă
90 Romania GK Rareș Murariu
93 Romania FW Cristian Gavra
98 Romania DF Doru Dumitrescu
99 Romania DF Tudor Băluță

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
— Romania GK Cătălin Căbuz (to Hermannstadt)
— Romania DF Szabolcs Kilyen (to Sepsi Sfântu Gheorghe)
— Romania DF Dan Panait (to Târgu Mureș)
— Romania DF Cătălin Toriște (to Argeș Pitești)
— Romania MF Antonio Cruceru (to Argeș Pitești)
No. Position Player
— Romania MF Paul Iacob (to Târgu Mureș)
— Romania MF Florin Nicolescu (to Afumați)
— Romania FW Robert Grecu (to Steaua București)
— Romania FW Alexandru Stoica (to Târgu Mureș)

Club officials

Current technical staff

Role Name
Manager Romania Gheorghe Hagi
Assistant Managers Romania Cătălin Anghel
Romania Cristian Sava
Goalkeeping Coach Romania Ștefan Preda
Fitness Coach Italy Roberto Berruero
Club Doctor Romania George Puflene
Physiotherapist Romania Paul Ciocănescu
Masseurs Romania Cosmin Ghiorghe
Romania Daniel Stoian
Storeman Romania Ștefan Pețu
  • Last updated: August 2017
  • Source:

Management

Role Name
Owner Romania Gheorghe Hagi
President Romania Pavel Peniu
Vice-President Romania Neculai Tănasă
General Director Romania Cristian Bivolaru
Economic Director Romania Gheorghe Mega
Sporting Director Romania Zoltan Iasko
Team Manager Romania Costin Mega
Responsible for Order and Safety Romania Constantin Stamate
Press Officer Romania Ciprian Mihai

European record

Season Competition Round Opponent Home Away Aggregate
2016–17 UEFA Europa League 3Q Belgium Gent 0–0 0–5 0–5
2017–18 UEFA Champions League 3Q Cyprus APOEL 1–0 0–4 (a.e.t.) 1–4
2017–18 UEFA Europa League PO Austria Red Bull Salzburg TBD TBD TBD

References

  1. 1 2 "Gheorghe Hagi creating a new legacy for Romanian football". World Soccer. 22 March 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  2. 1 2 "Bucurie fără margini la Ovidiu! Hagi și căpitanul Benzar au ridicat trofeul. Sărbătoare şi la vestiar" [Boundless joy at Ovidiu! Hagi and captain Benzar lifted the trophy. Party in the locker room too] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 13 May 2017. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  3. ↑ "Gheorghe and Ianis Hagi building the future of Romanian football at Viitorul". ESPN. 26 August 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  4. ↑ "ANALIZĂ Viitorul lui Hagi, pe cale de a reuși imposibilul în fotbal. Constănțenii pot deveni sâmbătă cea mai tânără campioană din Europa, cu o medie de vârstă incredibilă!" [Hagi's Viitorul, on the road of managing the impossible in footbal. The Constanța People can become the youngest champion of Europe of Sunday, with an incredible average age!] (in Romanian). Dolce Sport. 11 May 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  5. ↑ "Viitorul, cea mai tânără campioană din Europa" [Viitorul, the youngest champion of Europe] (in Romanian). Sibiu 100%. 19 May 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  6. ↑ "‘Whatever I do, I am still only the son of Hagi’". The Times. 12 October 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
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