In the midst of a relegation battle, Hermannstadt have announced a move from a play-off side: 'Transferred for good'

Ashley Davis16/05/2026

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Article by Tudor Belivacă – Published Friday, May 15, 2026 10:22 p.m. / Updated Friday, May 15, 2026 10:29 p.m.

FC Hermannstadt announced via social networks that it has activated the purchase clause for Ioan Bârstan, a footballer who was loaned this season by the Superliga from U Cluj.

In the middle of the fight to save from relegation, the Sibiu secured the services of the 21-year-old footballer for three seasons.

FC Hermannstadt completed the first transfer, in the middle of the fight to save from relegation

“AFCHermannstadt today activated the purchase clause of the footballer Ioan Bârstan, who was thus permanently transferred from U Cluj Napoca. Bârstan signed a contract valid for the next 3 seasons at FCH. Currently, our young footballer is recovering after the surgery he underwent on his left knee. We are with him and we have great, great faith in his potential!”, was the statement from Hermannstadt on social networks.

Ioan Bârstan was not used much this season by the Sibien Superliga. The footballer only made two appearances for Hermannstadt and made no contribution. He was injured in the duel with Csikszereda, score 0-0 in the Superligi play-out, and he would be fit to play only in the winter, according to oradesibiu.ro.

Ioan Bârstan reached the second team of CFR Cluj in 2020, and in 2023 he made the step to the big team, but was immediately sent on loan to Unirea Ungheni for two years. When he returned from his loan, he was taken by U Cluj and sent directly to Hermannstadt.

Hermannstadt has big problems in the standings, and the Sibians are close to playing in League 2. Hermannstadt is in the play-off place at the moment and can no longer avoid the play-off, but it can also fall to direct relegation. All 4 decisive play-out matches are played simultaneously on Monday, May 18, from 20:30. Hermannstadt will play FCSB.

The scenarios:

If Slobozia wins against UTA Arad, Hermannstadt are directly relegated, regardless of their result, and Slobozia goes to the play-offs;
If Slobozia draws with UTA Arad, then Hermannstadt must win against FCSB in order not to be relegated directly;
If Slobozia loses, then the Ialomists are directly relegated if Hermannstadt draws or wins with FCSB. With failure, Slobozia stays in the Superliga only if Hermannstadt, in turn, loses to FCSB.