Article by Sergiu Alexandru – published on Friday, September 12, 2025, 14:04 / Updated Friday, September 12, 2025:05
In addition to Kurt Zouma and Marcus Coco, who also signed, CFR Cluj wanted to strengthen their defensive and Pape Abou Cisse (central defender, 29 years old). But the move fell because of medical problems.
After a start below expectations, Ioan Varga seriously shook the Cluj group. And together with Mikael Silvestre, he made some important moves over the last hundred meters of the Mercato period. In addition to the right defender Marcus Coco and the central defender Kurt Zouma, CFR Cluj wanted to bring Cisse. But the move fell on the last hundred meters.
CFR Cluj has blocked the transfer of Pape Abou Cisse
The two parties had reached an agreement regarding the contract, but CFR Cluj decided to stop the move. The reason? Medical problems.
“At the medical visit, it turned out that Cisse has some problems with the hip. And the staff and management preferred to risk nothing. And that's why the transfer has not been done anymore”, Explained the sources of the Sports Gazette.
Pape Abou Cisse is a Senegalese, left-footed, 1.97 m-footed defender. It has 16 selections for Senegal national, the latter being at the 2022 World Championship, when it played 90 minutes in 0-2 with the Netherlands, 13 minutes in 3-1 with Qatar and one minute in 2-1 with Ecuador. And with England he stayed on the bench.
PAPE ABOU CISSE // PHOTO: IMAGO
Cisse is free of contract after July 1 broke away from the Al Shamal club (from Qatar). Here evolved from October 2024. Throughout his career he has evolved in Ajaccio (77 matches), Saint-Etenne (15), Olympiacos (151) and Adana Demiirspor.
In addition to medical problems, CFR Cluj also considered that the post of central defender is covered, especially after the arrival of Kurt Zouma, in which the Clujians have great confidence. In addition, as a central defender, Andrea Mandorlini also has Matei Ilie, Anton Kresic and Sheriff Sinyan.
Other departures follow
The revolution promised by Nelu Varga within the lot did not end. And the people of Cluj are trying to break away from several players in the next period.
“It works intensely, analysis is done, it is discussed. There are chances to leave certain players in the coming days,” say the sources of the newspaper.
