Daniel Pancu announced a transfer after the victory with Oțelul: “It will probably come tomorrow”
Article by Tudor Belivacă – Published Sunday, January 18, 2026 21:33 / Updated Sunday, January 18, 2026 21:50
Daniel Pancu, the coach of CFR Cluj, announced that Mihai Popa (25 years old), the goalkeeper of Torino, would arrive tomorrow at the Gruia group.
Daniel Pancu's statements were made immediately after CFR managed to prevail against those from Oțelul Galați, in a match in stage #22 of the Superliga.
This winter, the band from Gruia sold its main striker, Otto Hindrich, to Legia Warsaw. In the game with the Danubians, Octavian Vâlceanu, a 29-year-old goalkeeper, was in goal.
VIDEO. Daniel Pancu announced a new transfer to CFR Cluj: “Probably Popa will come in the goal tomorrow”
“We're still looking for a left-footed winger. We haven't found one yet. We're talking about a double at Cordea. Popa will probably come to the gate tomorrow. If we also find a central defender we can carry out our training in full force.
No one is leaving and we want no one to leave. I don't know if the footballers have offers, but we don't want anyone to leave”, said Daniel Pancu at the press conference after the match with Oțelul Galați.
Mihai Popa is currently registered at Torino, a Serie A club, the first echelon of Serie A.
CFR Cluj announced the loan of Mihai Popa // photo: Imago Images
Mihai Popa studied at the Hagi Academy. He didn't get to make his senior debut for Farul. He was transferred to Astra Giurgiu, where he played for one season. He also played for Rapid and FC Voluntari, before leaving for Italy in Turin in 2023.
In 2024 he was loaned by the Italians for one season at CFR Cluj, but in the summer of 2025 he returned to Turin. He has not played in any matches this season. He has played 13 matches for CFR Cluj. He has the most matches for FC Voluntari: 77. He is quoted by specialized websites at 500,000 euros.
