Catalin Cîrjan (23 years old) reborn in his jersey Dynamo. He contributed last season to the team qualifying for the play-offs after 8 years, and now he has set a clear goal: the title, only then a possible transfer.
In an interview at the end of the year for GSP.ro, Dinamo's captain looked back on 2025 and addressed both sensitive topics and some that transformed him into the player he is today.
Cîrjan states that the beginning of the 2025-2026 season was more prolific for him, taking into account the numbers he had: 4 goals and 5 assists in 23 matches.
He fulfilled his dream when he signed with Dinamo in the summer of 2024 and had nothing but praise for coach Zeljko Kopic, who gave him confidence and gave him the captain's armband.
VIDEO | Cătălin Cîrjan, at the hour of truth! The Dynamo player looks back at the year 2025, a total plus for him and the “dogs”: “My family supports me the most!”
Cîrjan also spoke about a complicated moment he went through in the fall, when his evolutions were not the most consistent, and Dynamo fans were apostrophizing him on social networks.
He explained that his family was affected by the comments, but it all depended on him, and the developments at the end of the year turned him back into one of the most loved Dynamo supporters.
– Cătălin, how would you describe the year 2025 and how important was this year in your career?
– Yes, it was a good year for me and the team. It was very important for me to continue the good form of last year. Last year was a good year for me. I managed to score 8 goals and an assist. And it was very important for me and the world around me to confirm. I think I did that and it was a good year for me.
– What moment do you think defined your season?
– Honestly, I don't have a moment in mind. But I think all the goals I scored and the assists. This year was a better year for me than last year because last year I had 7 goals and an assist in the league. Now I already have 4 goals and 5 assists. I mean I have good numbers and I want even more in the new year.
– What was your best match this year and why?
– We had some good matches. I can say the match with Petrolul, away. I scored and assisted, we won 3-0 and it was a good game.
– What have you learned about yourself as a player in the year 2025?
– I don't know if I still have something to learn. I've been playing football for a long time now and I've learned a lot about myself. But one thing I've learned over time is that I'm very ambitious and I never give up.
– Do you feel that this season has matured you even more?
– Last season I matured more and I reached a good level. Now I can say that I also have some experience.
– What does Dinamo mean to you now compared to the beginning of the season? Is there anything different?
– Dinamo has meant a lot to me since I arrived. It's not a change. Since I came to Dinamo I felt that this is my family, because it was a dream for me to play for Dinamo since I was little. It was my dream. Now I'm here and I can say I've lived the dream.
– What was the most important asset in the locker room for Dinamo this season?
– I think the unity of the group. And last year was the same. That's why we reached the play-offs after so many years. But I think this year we are even more united and it shows on the field.
– Zeljko Kopic gave you the captain's armband. How is your relationship with the coach?
– An extraordinary relationship. He is like a father to me from the first moment, since I came to this club. I am grateful for everything he has done for me. Every day it helps me to improve. He is with me in good times and in bad times. And I thank him for that.
Zeljko Kopic and Cătălin Cîrjan / Photo: Cristi Preda (GSP)
– With which colleague from Dinamo do you have the best chemistry?
– With Raul Opruț. We spend a lot of time together. We were also on the national team together and I have the best chemistry with him.
– You had a difficult time and your parents were affected by the comments you read. How did you get through that period and what would you say to a colleague in a similar situation?
– We know very well, in football there are good periods and less good periods. A season is very long and I went through it myself a month and a half ago. I would tell a colleague to never stop, because the next match is immediately on. Every week we have a chance to go on the pitch and show what we can do. The same thing happened to me. I came in, scored a goal with Csikszereda, then came the goal with Galati and everything changed in a short time. It was much harder for my family. I know what I'm doing, I know that I work every day and that I give my best. It's normal to have weaker matches, but it was hard for them to see comments and insults. I'm glad that everything is going well now and I see them happy and proud of me.
– Is your family your biggest supporter?
– Yes, always. They sacrificed everything for me to become a footballer and I owe them everything.
Cătălin Cîrjan / Photo: Cristi Preda (GSP)
“There were offers in the summer, but my thoughts are only on Dinamo”
In a declaration of love for Dinamo, a club he has loved since childhood, Cîrjan mentions the fact that he had several offers from abroad in the summer, for much more money, but he refused them from the start and preferred to stay in Romania.
He wants to win a championship with the red and white, then he can also think about leaving. Asked if he could play for another team in Romania, Cîrjan was just as firm: Dinamo and only Dinamo.
– How do you answer those who say that you only give results with the lower ranked teams and not in derbies?
– The first goal was against CFR, in a very important match, and I think it was my best goal at Dinamo. I think we played good matches. Even though I didn't score or assist in the derbies, I think I played good games and I hope the successes in the derbies will come.
– Is it true that Dinamo received better offers for you and you refused them?
– Yes, there were offers in the summer, for good money, but my thoughts were only on Dinamo. I wanted to play at least one more season. I want to win the title with Dinamo and then we'll see what happens.
– Were there offers also from Romania or only from abroad?
– They were from abroad. I don't know anything about Romania.
– Would you play for another team in Romania, apart from Dinamo?
– Not. My path in football is clear: I want to win a title with Dinamo. After that, inevitably, I think the step abroad will come, and towards the end of my career I want to return home, to Dinamo, and end my career with my family.
– What are your main goals in 2026, both personally and with the team?
– We want to take the title. On a personal level, I want to take it game by game and help my team in every game with goals and assists. The most important goal is the team goal, to take the title.
– What would you like to improve in your game?
– I think that's all. Every day I come to training to improve myself physically, tactically and mentally. I give everything every day for football, from morning to night, and I want to improve in all aspects.
– The title with Dinamo or second place and a transfer abroad?
– The title with Dinamo!
From 2024 at Dinamo Cîrjan wore Dinamo's shirt 65 times, during which time he scored 12 times and provided 7 decisive assists. He is quoted by the specialized website Transfermarkt at 2.5 million euros.
350,000 eurosCîrjan was worth when he signed with Dinamo
Superliga standings
