Ground Viitorul Chairman Pavel Peniu Arena/Stadium Stadionul Viitorul Manager Gheorghe Hagi Owner Gheorghe Hagi | Ground Capacity 4,500 2015–16 Liga I, 5th League Liga I Location Constanța, Romania Founded 2009 | |
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Full name Fotbal Club Viitorul Constanța Nickname(s) Puștii lui Hagi (Hagi's Kids) Profiles | ||
Fotbal Club Viitorul Constanța ([vi.iˈtorul konˈstant͡sa]; The Future Constanța Football Club), commonly known as Viitorul Constanța, or simply as Viitorul, is a Romanian professional football club based in the city of Constanța, Constanța County, currently playing in the Liga I.
Contents
- Founding and early years
- Ascent in the first league
- Grounds
- Leagues
- First team squad
- Out on loan
- Second team squad Viitorul II
- References
Founded in 2009 by former Romanian international Gheorghe Hagi, the club is particularly known for promoting young talents from its academy, hence the nickname "Hagi's Kids".
Founding and early years
Viitorul Constanța was founded in the summer of 2009 and enrolled in the Liga III, the third tier of the Romanian football league system, after acquiring the playing right of CSO Ovidiu. It has been owned since its creation by former Romanian international footballer, Gheorghe Hagi. Viitorul is best known for developing young players in Romania and possesses the top youth facilities of any club in the country.
During the team's first season in Romanian football, they achieved mathematical promotion to the 2010–11 Liga II after round 33, being in a fierce run with ACS Berceni near the end of the campaign. In the 2011–12 Liga II, Viitorul finished second in the table and prepared to compete in the top-flight.
Ascent in the first league
In the 2012–13 season, Viitorul Constanța made its first appearance in the Liga I in club history. With 8 victories, 12 draws, and 13 defeats (36 points) they finished on the 13th place and avoided relegation. The club's first major victories were against FC Steaua București (5–2) and FC Dinamo București (3–2). Viitorul would move to avoid relegation in the next 2 seasons.
In 2016, Viitorul achieved their best performance, qualifying for the championship play-offs and finishing 5th place, thus earning a place in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League, where they were drawn against Belgian side KAA Gent. In their first European match, at Ghelamco Stadium, Viitorul suffered a bitter 0–5 defeat.
Grounds
During 2009–12 Viitorul played its Liga III and Liga II home matches on the old local stadium in Ovidiu. After the promotion to the Liga I it played its first 3 home matches on the Oțelul Stadium in Galați and afterwards it moved on the Farul Stadium in Constanța, with a capacity of 15,500 people all on seats. In the summer of 2013 it moved to play its home matches in Chiajna on the Concordia Stadium. They returned to Ovidiu on the Stadionul Viitorul in the summer of 2015.
Leagues
First team squad
As of 14 February 2017
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Second team squad (Viitorul II)
As of 11 February 2017Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.