Article by Maria Olteanu – Published Sunday, May 31, 2026, 11:38 / Updated Sunday, May 31, 2026 11:38
Mirel Rădoi (45 years old), the coach of Gaziantep, wants to strengthen the team in this transfer period and has set his sights on his former student from the Super League, the midfielder of the University of Craiova, the young David Matei (19 years old).
The Turkish press recently noted the interest Rădoi has for the kid he wanted last summer too, when he managed to transfer David Matei to Bănie from the second division Steaua. David Matei imposed himself in Bănie in the very first season after the transfer and became the number 1 option of Olten to fulfill the U21 rule.
Now, Rădoi would like to work again with David Matei, a player who this summer was rewarded for his progress in the club team and called up for the first time by the selector Gheorghe Hagi to the national team for the double friendly in June with Georgia and Wales.
Mirel Rădoi wants David Matei in Gaziantep
“The red-black team focused on David Matei, a former student of coach Mirel Radoi from Craiova University.
The 19-year-old master stood out last season with 5 goals and 2 assists in 36 appearances”Turkish journalists from fotomac.com.tr noted.
How David Matei impressed Gheorghe Hagi. Photo: Imago
David Matei is not the only Superliga player that Rădoi wants
Recently, Mirel Rădoi admitted that he would like to take him to the Turkish championship as well Ștefan Târnovanu (26 years old), goalkeeper from FCSB, with whom he worked several stages of the play-out.
However, regarding both Târnovanu and David Matei, the situation for Gaziantep is a delicate one. At the moment, the team has a transfer ban and is yet to find out if it will be lifted in the next period, depending on how they solve their financial problems.
