Article by Sergiu Alexandru, Adrian Duţă – Published Wednesday, December 31, 2025, 5:19 p.m. / Updated Wednesday, December 31, 2025, 5:29 p.m.
Denis Crișan (18 years old), attacking midfielder, is the first player to arrive at CFR Cluj during the winter break. He comes to Romania from Mallorca U19.
Born on January 25, 2007, in Cluj Napoca, Denis Crișan did not get to play in Romania. Left abroad at an early age, went through the Dutch academies Unitas '59 and PSV. In 2022 he arrived in Spain. He signed with Espanyol, where he spent two years in the Catalan club's academy.
In 2024 he went to Rayo Vallecano, and in 2025 he arrived in Mallorca, playing at U19. Now, the 18-year-old offensive midfielder will sign with CFR Cluj, according to prosport.ro, and will play for the seniors for the first time.
Crișan will be one of the U21 options from Daniel Pancu's team. Denis can also play as an offensive midfielder, but also as a left winger.
Denis Crișan, the first move made by CFR Cluj in the winter
Denis Crișan is a Romanian junior international, and Daniel Pancu, a former U21 selector, took an interest in the attacking midfielder from the other junior team selectors, according to GSP information.
He received good references, so he agreed to the transfer. The management of the Transylvanian club is delighted with Crisan's qualities, but also with the fact that he will fulfill the U21 rule for another 4 years.
Denis Crișan will be the first transfer made by CFR Cluj after the departure of Louis Munteanu. Although he is an offensive player, he is not a direct replacement for the striker who arrived at DC United, so Transylvania still needs a “top”.
“He beats his opponents head on, that's how he confuses them on the field. I also told the Federation about him. Without a doubt, he is a name for Romania,” said Marcel Răducanu in 2021 about Crisan, while Denis impressed in the children's competitions.
