Article by Sergiu Alexandru, Maria Olteanu – Published Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 2:18 p.m. / Updated Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 2:26 p.m.
At 41 years old, Bănel Nicoliță is ready for a new adventure, this time in League 5, at FC Produlesti. The official announcement was made at noon on Wednesday.
Even though he has not played at the highest level for several years, Banel Nicoliță did not retire from football and continued to play for pleasure, in the lower leagues. After the recent experiences at CS Amara and Vălenii de Munte, he has now reached an agreement with the Prahov group from the fifth echelon, FC Produlesti.
On Wednesday, he was presented with the mayor George Georgescu, the one who announced this transfer on Facebook. The contract is valid until the summer.
Banel Nicoliță signed in League 5
“Today we are pleased to present to you the newest acquisition of the FC PRODULEȘTI team: BĂNEL NICOLIĂ. We are honored and happy to have with us a player of such value, who will bring more experience, determination and quality to our team”, wrote the mayor on social networks.
Bănel Nicoliță signed in League 5, at FC Produlesti // photo: Facebook
Contacted by GSP.ro, after this move, Bănel Nicoliță answered enthusiastically:
It's a new challenge and I don't shy away from challenges. Especially since the team plays in red and blue. I am good friends with the mayor and he kept calling me to come. And I decided to accept. The team has big plans for promotion and I want to help. I gladly accepted.
I signed until the summer, and after that we'll see what happens. I love football and it's hard for me to give up this passion, especially since it's so big. I came with pleasure and I want to make the fans happy
– Bănel Nicoliță, after signing in League 5
Bănel Nicoliță, double champion of Romania in “red-blue”
Bănel Nicoliță won the title of champion with FCSB twice (2005 and 2006), once the Romanian Cup (2011) and once the Romanian Supercup (2007).
Throughout his career he also played at Dacia Unirea Brăila, Politehnica Timișoara, Saint-Etienne, Nantes, Viitorul Constanța, ASA Târgu Mureș, Aris Limassol, CS Făurei (2016-2017 and 2018-2022), CS Amara and Vălenii de Munte.
Nicoliță accumulated 259 matches at the Superliga level, in which he scored 34 goals and provided 33 decisive assists.
