“The separation also came from him”

The left-back has not played since July 29, 2024, due to a serious injury to his left knee: torn anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus injury. Although the return was initially estimated in less than a year, the first operation did not go according to plan, and Țicu had to undergo a second surgery, approximately ten months apart. The footballer suspects that the problems were caused by an infection in the graft.

In this context, Claudiu Tudor's statements can give hope to Dinamo supporters, in the perspective of the return of a player who impressed a few years ago in the Super League and the U21 national team, being also included by Emil Săndoi in the “small tricolor” squad for the European U21 Championship in 2023. He signed with Dinamo for a period of 6 months, with the possibility of extension for another 3 years.

VIDEO. Claudiu Tudor is confident that Valentin Țicu can return to the form that established him in the “pack”: “He wanted a change”

“Maybe from outside it was the surprising parting. For me it was also emotional because Vali was my colleague, we promoted together, we also had victories in the first League 1 after which we were happy. He has an open door at Petrolul anytime, he would be welcome”, said Claudiu Tudor, at the beginning of the dialogue with GSP.ro reporters about Valentin Țicu.

The official from Ploiești emphasized that the decision to break up also came from the player's desire to change the environment, after a complicated period. “I think he needed it too. This separation also came from him, he wanted a change. I was actually talking to him after the contract extension, things didn't go the way they wanted. There was that episode with Iancu from Sibiu, then he got injured afterwards. I think he needed a change.”

At the same time, Tudor also explained the sports context within the team. “Lately we've used the Under there. I think it's a good move for him to come back and play and be able to continue his career. He will always have an open door in Ploiești and may he be healthy“.

“I was not surprised that he signed with Dinamo”

The president of the “wolves” admitted that Țicu's transfer to Dinamo did not take him by surprise and emphasized the importance of the player's return to the level that established him. “I was not surprised that he signed with Dinamo. He had to look for a new direction, whether it was Dinamo or Gloria Bistrita, I give an example, I don't think it matters. It is important for him and for the fans that he recovers and is healthy. That he will be at Dinamo or somewhere else, life goes on”.

Claudiu Tudor wanted to highlight the defender's professionalism throughout his collaboration with Petrolul. “He's a professional, he's done his job for the club brilliantly. He has to continue his career no matter where. I'd be happy if he succeeds. It is clear that he is coming after a difficult period and it will not be easy“.

10,000 eurosit was the salary that Țicu had reached on “Ilie Oană”, according to Gazeta Sporturilur information. In order to sign with Dinamo, the left defender accepted a significant decrease in remuneration, going on to earn almost a third less in red and white.

In the end, his message was one of total support for the former football player of the “Gazari”: “I wish him to be healthy, and we will follow him and keep our fists because he remains a «wolf» and is still part of our family. The fact that he is back in training and will start the normal schedule is clear that he is a strong guy.

Surely the things that happened to him shook him up quite a bit because it can't be easy for you. I talked to him a lot, but he has to move on. His family is with him and I am convinced that he will succeed, in the end, in getting where he wants to be.”

300,000 eurosis Valentin Țicu's quota, according to the transfermarkt specialist portal. In the winter of 2022, one of the best moments of his career, he had reached 800,000 – the highest value on record.