Article by Justin Gafiuc – Published Wednesday, January 14, 2026 23:07 / Updated Wednesday, January 14, 2026 23:21
Luca Mihai, 22 years old, became one of Adrian Mihalcea's favorites in the second part of the autumn season, and his developments in Arad have already attracted attention in the Turkish first league. Two formations launched loan proposals, but the president Alexandru Meszar does not agree with this solution. A revival of a player close to a drama in April 2024, after a severe injury!
UTA moved with two moves in the mercato in terms of acquisitions (Ime Ndon, Luka Gojkovic) and could tick in the coming days and an important move in terms of departures. It is about Luca Mihai, the midfielder recruited at the beginning of this season, with a contract until 2027 with the Aradians.
The former youth international is wanted in the Turkish premier league and contacts between the parties are ongoing, say GSP sources.
Eyupspor and Genclerbirligi, interested in Luca Mihai
Alexandru Meszar confirms the offers from Turkey for Luca Mihai, but UTA does not approve a formula to sell him in the form of a loan
Specifically, Luca Mihai is on the list of two groups from the Crescent Country: Eyupspor and Genclerbirligi. The first of the clubs made two transfers from Romania this winter, Denis Rusu and Jerome Onguene, both on loan from Petrolul, with various extension options at the end of the championship.
Eyupspor is currently penultimate in the standings after 17 stages, while Genclerbirligi is in 11th position. Cosmin Matei, Liviu Antal and Bogdan Stancu have also played for the Ankara team over the years, the latter collecting 6 seasons, 153 games and 60 goals in the red-black shirt. Then “Motanul” ended his career at Eyupspor.
Both have taken into account a loan formula for Luca Mihai, with a purchase option in the summer. The president of UTA, Alexandru Meszar, confirmed the contacts with the Turks, but emphasized that “we are not interested in the loan option, but only in a potential final sale. Therefore, if they are still interested in the footballer, we are waiting for renewed offers”.
From the terrible hit from Homawoo to the vital goal from Bănie
The dramatic moment experienced by Luca Mihai in April 2024, when he left the field with the Ambulance following the savage blow received by the Homawoo player
Luca Mihai arrived at UTA from CFR Cluj, via Gloria Buzău and, if at the beginning of the championship he was kept more on the bench by Adrian Mihalcea, from October he became the starter in Arad, collecting 568 minutes in 10 games. He also scored an important goal in the 2-1 victory in Bănie, opening the scoring with a left-footed shot in the 24th minute.
It marked his first success after the terrible injury suffered in April 2024 in a Dinamo – Poli Iasi match, when Homawoo violently attacked him from behind, hitting him in the head, causing multiple fractures, a cranial hematoma and a ruptured eardrum. He returned to the pitch after three months of hospitalisation, surgery and recovery, initially wearing a helmet.
