Article by Tudor Belivacă – Published Thursday, January 15, 2026, 9:19 p.m. / Updated Thursday, January 15, 2026 9:29 p.m.
Rapid announced through an official statement that the team loaned Rareș Pop to The oil Ploiesti until the end of the season.
Rareș Pop addressed a few words to Rapid's supporters in the official press release issued by the Giulești team: “I wish Rapid to have as many successes as possible, and to the supporters as many happy moments as possible with the team! Anywhere, anytime, Rapid!”.
The official press release from Rapid: “Rareș Pop continues this season at Petrolul”
“Rareș Pop continues this season at Petrolul, in the form of a loan, until the end of the season. The 20-year-old midfielder played in 9 matches for Rapid this season, scoring a goal and an assist. Good luck, Rareș! Have a good evolution and come back stronger!”, Rapid sent through the official statement.
It's the move that completes the business on the Rapid – Petrolul axis, on account of the transfer of Sălceanu to Grant: the people of Giulești also gave Cristi Ignat a loan to Ploiești and 400,000 euros.
Petrolul Ploiești issued, at the same time as those from Rapid, a press release announcing the arrival of Rareș Pop. The “Yellow Wolves” mentioned the fact that Rareș Pop will enter the training program from tomorrow and could even debut in the match scheduled for Monday, January 19, at 20:00, against the Craiova University.
Official: Rareș Pop will play for FC Petrolul Ploiești until the summer!
Came on loan from Rapid Bucharest, Rareș Mihai Pop (20 years old, 1.77 meters) plays in the right lane, and has already played 95 matches in the Super League, for UTA and Rapid, and also scored 12 goals. In fact, Pop had an early debut on the country's first football stage, in October 2022, at the age of only 17!
He is also a regular in the national junior squads, being on the field in all four official matches played by Romania U21 in the autumn, as part of the EC 2027 preliminaries.
From tomorrow, Rareș Pop will appear at the “wolves” training, being, thus, prepared to debut in the “yellow-blue” jersey at the very first official game of the year, on Monday, against the University of Craiova, which will be played at the “Ilie Oană” arena, from 8:00 p.m. Welcome, Rare Pop!
–The statement from Petrolul
