Article by Maria Olteanu – published Monday, September 1, 2025, 13:17 / Updated Monday, September 1, 20:18
The Red Star Belgrade, the opponent of the FCSB in the unique group of Euopa League, strengthens for the next phase of the competition. Even if Serbia's champion team is not in the elite again, this does not mean that “marakana” does not work to strengthen the lot. Portuguese footballer Tomas Handel (24 years old) is about to join the “red-white” for the largest transfer amount in the club history.
Transfer-Bomba to the future opponent of FCSB: The defensive midfielder from Vitoria Guimaraes is about to sign with the club on the “Rajko Mitic” stadium at the end of the Mercato period.
Tomas Handel signs with the Belgrade Red Star
The player, valued at 13 million euros on the specialized website Transfermarkt, will strengthen the team of the Red Belgrade team for a considerably smaller, but still huge amount for local conditions. Specifically, Serbia's champion will pay 6,000,000 euros to get the signature, according to Sportal.blic.rs.
Thus, the Portuguese will become the most expensive transfer in the history of the club, surpassing the previous record held by In-Beom Hwang, for which the red Star Belgrade paid 5.5 million euros two years ago. This summer, the most expensive transfer so far was Shavy Babicka, purchased for 4,000,000 euros.
Handel, who spent his entire career at Victoria Guimaraes, will significantly intensify the competition in the middle of the field, where laughing Krunic and Timi Max Elsnik are currently undeniable holders.
The program of FCSB in the single group of Europa League
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Stage 1: September 25 – GO Ahead Eagles – FCSB, 7:45 pm
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Stage 2: October 2, 2025 – FCSB – Young Boys, 7:45 pm
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Stage 3: October 23, 2025 – FCSB – Bologna, 7:45 pm
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Stage 4: 6 November 2025 – Basel – FCSB, 7:45 pm
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Stage 5: November 27, 2025 – Red Star – FCSB, 22:00
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Stage 6: 11 December 2025 – FCSB – Feyenoord, 22:00
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Stage 7: January 22, 2026 – Dinamo Zagreb – FCSB, 22:00
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Stage 8: January 29, 2026 – FCSB – Fenerbahce, 22:00
As in the last season, there is only one group, with 36 teams. At the end of the matches, the first 8 teams will qualify directly in the best, while the 9-24 places will play a play-off for accessing in the next phase.
