Article by Daniel Grigore – Published Wednesday, December 31, 2025, 3:29 p.m. / Updated Wednesday, December 31, 2025, 3:30 p.m.
The top scorer of the Superliga in the 2024/2025 season, Louis Munteanu hoped that the performances of the previous season would help him get a contract in an important championship.
It didn't happen. Munteanu ended the summer as a CFR player, but things settled down for him in the end.
CFR Cluj clapped hands with DC United for the transfer of the player. Those from CFR insist that it is the most expensive export product of the Superligaover the 11 million paid by Parma for Dennis Man in 2021, while sources close to the American club say that the amount would be lower, 6 million euros insured plus another 2.5 in potential bonuses.
Louis Munteanu to DC United: pillar of the rebuild, replaces a famous striker
Louis Munteanu arrives at a team in the midst of a rebuilding process. The team from the US capital finished the 2025 MLS season in last place in the Eastern Conference, accumulating only 26 points in the 34 stages of the regular season.
In Washington, Munteanu will be trained by the Swiss Rene Weiler, the one who came to Cluj-Napoca in November to watch him live and who gave the green light for the transfer to take place.
He won't have, at least initially, famous teammates at DC United. The team's most valuable player is another newcomer, Tai Baribo, a striker rated at 5 million euros.
He replaces Christian Benteke
The idea is for Munteanu and Baribo to team up in DC's attack, not compete for the same position. Weiler plans an attack with Baribo and Munteanu supported by “mastermind” Caden Clarkattacking midfielder also recently arrived in Washington.
The Romanian international will have the mission to replace Christian Benteke, the experienced striker who has reached the end of his contract with DC United. The Eagles had the option to offer him a new deal, but chose not to.
Benteke, who was also the captain of the team, has a colossal CV: 177 games at Crystal Palace, 101 at Aston Villa, 42 at Liverpool. For DC United he played 100 times and scored 49 goals.
In the next MLS season, scheduled to start on February 21, officials of the red-black team expect considerable progress. In addition to Munteanu and Baribo, they also transferred Japanese left back Keisuke Kurokawa.
