4 July 2007, by Catalin Parfene

Portuguese Abroad 2006/07 season review: Romania and Cluj

Cluj become more Portuguese by the day

The Portuguese contingent of Romanian team CFR Cluj has reached an incredible number of ten players this summer – unsurprisingly a record for a foreign team anywhere in the world.

The team from Cluj actually has nineteen foreign players, which is also a record for the Romanian top flight, a competition where foreigners were present only in small numbers a few years ago.

Club owner Arpad Paszkany has invested almost 8.5 million euros in transfers since Cluj were promoted to the first division in 2004/05. The results have appeared quickly, and at the end of the 2006/07 season the team finished 3rd and qualified for the UEFA Cup.

Among the best players of Liga I last season were three Portuguese footballers from CFR Cluj, according to the statistics of Romanian daily ProSport.

Manuel Jose was named the second best right-midfielder in the Romanian championship, and a similar performance was achieved by Antonio Semedo, who was named the second best forward. Finally, Cadu attained fourth place in the top central defenders’ list.

Portuguese players of CFR Cluj in 2006/07 season:

Cadu (defender) 26 matches / 1 goal (all competitions)
Fredy (defender) 5 matches
Vitinha (defender) 2 matches
Manuel Jose (midfielder) 30 matches
Pedro Oliveira (midfielder) 30 matches / 5 goals
Dani (midfielder) 8 matches
Antonio Semedo (forward) 33 matches / 8 goals
* this summer CFR Cluj signed Amoreirinha, Andre Leao and Nuno Claro


Other Portuguese players in Romania in 2006/07 season

Liga I
Carlos (goalkeeper, Steaua) 16 matches (all competitions) – left
Leite (goalkeeper, FC Vaslui) 1 match – left
Nuno Gomes (defender, FC Vaslui) – left
Edson (forward, UTA) 11 matches / 6 goals
Bruno Simao (midfielder, UTA) 12 matches
Diogo Andrade (defender, UTA) 4 matches – left

Liga II
Leite (goalkeeper, FC Brasov) 15 matches – left
Vitinha (defender, Unirea Dej - satellite of CFR Cluj) 4 matches