“I was wrong about him”

Nicușor Bancu's name is confused with Craiova University, the only team he played for since he stepped into the first division, more than a decade ago.

The oldest player in the group and bearer of the armband, Bancu never caught a transfer abroad. Now, after conquering the event from the south of the country, Rotaru has admitted that there has been interest in the left-back in the past, from Feyenoord first and then from PAOK.

Feyenoord and PAOK wanted to transfer Nicușor Bancu in the past

“Unfortunately, it was my fault that he stayed here. I think the first offer I had from Feyenoord for him was somewhere around 2 million euros. He was a young player at the time, an up-and-coming player. He was actually making more money, but he stayed.

There were 2-3 other offers from PAOK. But there were some misunderstandings regarding the structure of the transaction and so on. Somehow, I was wrong towards him at the time but I wasn't wrong towards Craiova University. If an offer comes now, his decision will matter!” said Mihai Rotaru, quoted by fanatik.ro.

Then, the patron of Olten told about Bancu's beginnings in Craiova and how the player who became an idol in Bănie would have been willing to do anything to wear the blue-white shirt.

“He is the captain of Craiova University. He didn't start from the bottom, but from very, very low. He basically didn't play football until he was 18. He is a product of the Universitatea Craiova club. And now I'm still joking with him, «Come on, Nicușoare», I say to him, “If I told you back then that you'd spend your whole life on a 2000 euro salary at the University when I took you from Slatina, what would you do?”, to which he replied, “Well, I'd come on foot and stay on 2000 for the rest of your life”.

Now I'm sure he no longer has a 2000 euro salary, he has more. I know that I paid about 80,000 euros on it. But it was a verbal agreement with Slatina. He came with us to the camp in Slovenia.

In the country were Silviu Bogdan, Cârțu, and I told them to talk to Slatina that we are buying him, that is, we are giving him 80,000. Only Slatina started to say that they wanted more. I asked Jerry Gane, who was the coach. He said that he puts him in the starting line-up, that he is the best. I told him to go to the Bank and tell him that they have changed their minds and that tonight he is going back to Romania, but to be calm that he is not leaving, that I am keeping him here.

Bancu started acting like a train in the station, he called them that he was giving up football. I finally bought it for 80,000. After he had an injury, the first very, very serious injury, fractured tibia and fibula. He came back stronger and easier, he easily became the captain of the University of Craiova.

He is our captain and automatically the captain is a symbol, he is a symbol of the club. That's what it's about. The holder of the national team by law. I think he is the only man in the national team who is sure of his position. I don't think there is another one. He is an extraordinary character!”, said Mihai Rotaru.

• In the season in which Craiova made the event, Nicușor Bancu collected 43 games, in all competitions, in which he managed a goal and 4 decisive assists;

• He is quoted by Transfermarkt with 1 million euros;

• Bancu la Craiova has won five trophies, from 2014 until now, a championship, 3 Romanian Cups and a Super Cup

Now, Bancu no longer wants to transfer abroad

I am very happy, proud of what I and my colleagues have achieved. I didn't expect to get to this point. After so many years, my dream came true, I can say that and I really wanted this title of champion and the Cup. Thank God, my father I hope is proud up there. I feel fulfilled, I just wish health for myself and my family and I hope to play as much as possible.

I just thought to give everything for this team and in the end we will be champions or win trophies. I don't want another transfer, I'm very happy here. Craiova is my home, my family is here, there are wonderful people in the city, I am part of my family. It is a pride to live in this city. It was a tough year, we had many successful and unsuccessful matches. I also had injuries, I also had difficulties on a personal level

– Nicușor Bancu, defender Craiova