CS Concordia Chiajna
CS Concordia Chiajna is a Romanian professional football club based in the commune of Chiajna, Ilfov County, founded in 1957 by local residents as a single-sport entity focused on football.[1] The club, nicknamed the "Green Eagles" (Vulturii verzi), has historically competed in the lower divisions of Romanian football but experienced its most prominent era between 2011 and 2019, securing promotion to and maintaining presence in Liga I, the top tier of the Romanian league system, for eight consecutive seasons.[2] Currently competing in Liga II, the second division, as of the 2025–26 season where it holds a mid-table position, the team plays its home matches at Stadionul Concordia, a 5,123-seat venue with synthetic turf and floodlights built between 2004 and 2007.[3][1] Over its history, CS Concordia Chiajna has undergone several name changes, including GAC Chiajna, AS Chiajna, and ILF Militari, reflecting its evolution from a community-based outfit to a more structured professional entity.[1] Key milestones include its promotion to Liga III in 1992, followed by swift advancement to Liga II the next season, and a breakthrough entry into Liga I as runners-up in Liga II Serie II during the 2010–11 season.[1] Under notable managers like Laurențiu Reghecampf, the club achieved a respectable ninth-place finish in its debut Liga I season of 2011–12, avoiding relegation through crucial victories against teams such as FC Brașov and Pandurii Târgu Jiu.[4] Further promotions, including one in 2013–14 via a playoff win over Rapid București (upheld by a TAS ruling), solidified its top-flight status, though it faced relegation in 2018–19 following a challenging campaign that ended in the drop zone.[4][2] Despite lacking major trophies, the club's infrastructure and community support, backed by the Chiajna Local Council, have enabled steady development, including a dedicated training base in Roșu with accommodation for 22 players and a multi-sport hall.[1] In recent years, CS Concordia has focused on youth development and competitive stability in Liga II, with coaches like Ianis Zicu contributing to efforts aimed at potential return to the elite level, and currently managed by Andrei Cristea since September 2025.[5] As of November 2025, the team is competing in the Liga II and was recently eliminated from the Romanian Cup, emphasizing resilience and local pride in its operations.[6][7]Club Identity
Foundation and Ownership
Clubul Sportiv Concordia Chiajna was founded in 1957 in the commune of Chiajna, Ilfov County, Romania, as a sports club initially dedicated to football, with local residents serving as the primary founders to promote amateur sports within the community.[1] The club began operations with a single sports section focused on football, reflecting its origins as a grassroots initiative aimed at fostering local athletic participation and community engagement in the rural setting of Chiajna.[1] Over the subsequent decades, Concordia Chiajna transitioned from its amateur roots to professional status during the 2000s, marked by gradual promotions through the Romanian football leagues, including entry into Liga III in 1992 and further advancements that culminated in [Liga I](/page/Liga I) participation by the 2010–2011 season.[1] This evolution was supported by increasing involvement from local governance, enabling the club to compete at higher levels while maintaining its community-oriented foundation. The club is owned by the Chiajna Commune, with operational and financial oversight provided through the local administration, including the mayor's office (Primăria) and local council (Consiliul Local).[1] This public ownership structure has facilitated significant funding from the commune's budget, directed toward sports programs, infrastructure development—such as the Concordia Stadium built between 2004 and 2007—and operational costs, though it has also drawn scrutiny for financial management, with reports of over 9 million euros in public funds allocated to the club amid legal investigations into local officials.[8] The arrangement underscores the club's deep ties to communal resources, ensuring stability but tying its sustainability to public fiscal priorities.Name, Nicknames, and Crest
Clubul Sportiv Concordia Chiajna, commonly abbreviated as CS Concordia Chiajna, is the official name of the Romanian football club based in Chiajna, Ilfov County.[1] The club has undergone several name variations throughout its history, reflecting changes in sponsorship and organizational structure. Early iterations included GAC Chiajna, AS Chiajna, and ILF Militari, before adopting the Concordia moniker and evolving into its current form as Clubul Sportiv Concordia in the 2010s.[1][9][2] The club is known by two primary nicknames among fans and media: "Vulturii verzi" (The Green Eagles), derived from the team's predominant green kit colors and eagle symbolism, and "Ilfovenii" (The People from Ilfov), highlighting its roots in Ilfov County.[5][10][11] CS Concordia's crest features a prominent green eagle emblem, representing the "Vulturii verzi" nickname, integrated with the club's green and white colors and the founding year 1957.[12][13] The design also incorporates a soccer ball, underscoring the club's football identity.[14]Home Ground and Facilities
Stadium
Stadionul Concordia, located in Chiajna on the western outskirts of Bucharest, Romania, serves as the primary home venue for CS Concordia Chiajna.[15] Opened in 2007, the stadium was purpose-built for football and has undergone phased development to support the club's ambitions.[16] Its current capacity stands at 5,123 seats, including 35 press seats and an 850-seat away section, with all stands providing covered seating.[15] The stadium has seen key renovations in 2005, 2007, and notably in 2011, when expansions included the completion of the north stand, installation of 1,400 lux floodlights, and pitch upgrades to meet UEFA and Liga I standards.[15] These improvements, funded in part by the owning Chiajna Commune, enabled compliance for top-tier domestic and international matches, directly supporting the club's promotion to Liga I that year.[16] Post-2011, the venue has hosted CS Concordia Chiajna's Liga I fixtures from 2011 to 2019 and continues to serve as the home ground for their current Liga II campaigns.[15] A highlight in the stadium's history is its role in the 2011 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, where it accommodated three group stage matches, one semi-final, and the final.[17] The tournament's final, featuring Spain's 3-2 extra-time victory over the Czech Republic, drew a record attendance of 4,300 spectators, marking the highest turnout at the venue to date.[16] This event underscored the stadium's growing significance in Romanian and European youth football development.Training and Youth Facilities
The training and youth facilities of CS Concordia Chiajna are centered around the Complexul Sportiv Concordia and the Roșu training base, located adjacent to and in the vicinity of Stadionul Concordia in Chiajna, Ilfov County, providing a dedicated infrastructure for both senior and youth teams that was developed in the 2010s with ongoing expansions.[18][19][1] The complex includes multiple training pitches, with three dedicated fields alongside the main natural grass turf stadium, a minifootball pitch under a pressurized balloon for all-weather use, and recent additions of two new training fields to enhance capacity.[18][19] Supporting amenities encompass a modern sports hall for indoor sessions, a gym, a heated recovery pool, and a 22-room athlete hotel at the Roșu base, all integrated within an administrative headquarters exceeding 400 square meters.[18][19] These facilities are funded primarily by the Chiajna commune through the local town hall and council, reflecting sustained public investment in sports infrastructure.[18][19] The club's youth academy, known as the Centrul de Pregătire pentru Copii și Juniori, supports comprehensive development programs across various age groups, including U7 to U19 teams for both boys and girls, with a focus on competitive participation and talent nurturing.[18] In 2020, the academy received a high evaluation from the Romanian Football Federation (FRF), scoring 84.81 points and ranking fourth nationally, based on criteria such as infrastructure, training quality, and results.[18] By 2025, it maintained strong standing with an FRF classification score of 83.95, placing 11th among Romanian academies, underscoring consistent investments in youth coaching and facilities.[20] As of 2021, the programs involved around 200 young footballers in national competitions, including an initiation group for approximately 80 children aged 6-9, with training sessions held at the complex's sports hall and pitches.[18] Youth development has yielded notable successes, such as the U19 and U17 teams qualifying for the FRF's Liga Elitelor national elite youth league, providing pathways for promising players to advance toward the senior squad.[18] The academy's reserve team, CS Concordia II, operated until its dissolution in 2021, contributing to first-team stability during the club's Liga I tenure by integrating young talents. Recent renovations to the youth base continue to prioritize elite-standard preparation, positioning the academy as a key asset for local talent promotion.[19]History
Early Years (1957–2006)
Clubul Sportiv Concordia Chiajna was founded in 1957 in the commune of Chiajna, Ilfov County, Romania, initially operating as an amateur football club with a single sports section dedicated to the sport. The team competed in local Ilfov County leagues, reflecting strong communal ties to the agricultural and working-class community of the area, where it served as a focal point for local youth and residents. Over the early decades, the club underwent several name changes, including GAC Chiajna, AS Chiajna, and ILF Militari during periods of sponsorship by local enterprises such as the Întreprinderea de Legume-Fructe Militari. During the 1980s and 1990s, Concordia Chiajna remained entrenched in Romania's lower amateur divisions, primarily at the county level equivalent to modern Liga IV. A significant milestone came in 1988 when the team qualified for the promotion playoffs to Divizia C (now Liga III) but ultimately failed to advance. Persistence paid off in 1992, as the club successfully earned promotion to Divizia C during a transitional period when Romania's top division was briefly renamed Divizia Națională, marking their entry into the national third tier for the first time. This achievement laid essential groundwork, though the club oscillated between Divizia C and regional leagues in the ensuing years, relying on local talent and volunteer efforts without notable figures emerging as standout managers or players during this era. Entering the 2000s, Concordia Chiajna continued to navigate the challenges of lower-division football, competing in both the fourth and third tiers while facing typical financial constraints common to amateur setups in Romania's regional competitions. By the mid-2000s, renewed organizational efforts culminated in a pivotal shift toward professionalization around 2006, coinciding with preparations for national-level competition. This transition was solidified in the 2006–07 season, when the team topped Liga III Seria III to secure promotion to Liga II, ending decades of exclusively amateur operations.Rise and Liga I Tenure (2007–2019)
CS Concordia Chiajna marked a significant breakthrough in 2007 by securing promotion to Liga II for the first time in its history, ending decades of competition in Romania's lower divisions. The club spent the next four seasons consolidating its position in the second tier, with consistent performances that culminated in a runners-up finish in the 2010–11 Liga II Seria I. This result earned direct promotion to Liga I, allowing the team to enter the top flight for the 2011–12 season. To accommodate the higher standards, the club renovated its home ground, Stadionul Concordia, in 2011, expanding facilities and capacity to meet league requirements. In their Liga I debut, Concordia finished 9th, a solid mid-table result that exceeded expectations for the newly promoted side. The club then endured eight straight seasons in the top division, typically occupying mid-table spots while avoiding the drop zone. Notable placements included 15th in 2012–13, where survival hinged on a relegation play-off against Rapid București—lost 2–1 after extra time in the single play-off match—but a subsequent Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling in August 2013 upheld Concordia's place due to Rapid's financial irregularities, sparing them demotion. Other finishes were 14th (2013–14), 12th (2014–15), 13th (2015–16), 11th (2016–17), and a joint-best 9th in 2017–18. A highlight came in 2016 when the team reached the Cupa Ligii final, falling 1–2 to Steaua București in a competitive showing that underscored their growing competitiveness. The tenure ended in disappointment during the 2018–19 season, as Concordia struggled with inconsistent results and finished 14th overall, confirming relegation after a 0–2 defeat to Dunărea Călărași on 22 May 2019. This marked the conclusion of their longest and most successful era, having established themselves as a stable top-flight presence despite limited resources.Relegation and Liga II Return (2019–present)
Following their relegation from Liga I at the conclusion of the 2018–19 season, where they recorded 6 wins, 10 draws, and 15 losses for a total of 28 points, CS Concordia Chiajna entered Liga II amid significant challenges. The 2019–20 campaign in Liga II Serie 1 was prematurely ended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted operations and contributed to broader financial strains across Romanian football clubs through lost matchday revenue and sponsorship instability; after 16 matches, the club finished 8th with 6 wins, 6 draws, and 4 losses for 24 points. The 2020–21 season marked a precarious period for survival in Liga II, as Concordia finished 13th overall with 8 wins, 8 draws, and 11 losses for 32 points, narrowly avoiding relegation. Since then, the club has maintained a consistent mid-table presence, including 5th place in 2021–22 with 10 wins, 6 draws, and 3 losses for 36 points, and 8th in 2022–23 with 9 wins, 2 draws, and 8 losses for 29 points, reflecting gradual stabilization but persistent struggles to challenge for promotion amid limited resources. In 2023–24, they finished 12th with 25 points. In the 2024–25 Liga II season, Concordia finished 14th overall with 6 wins, 5 draws, and 8 losses for 23 points. The COVID-19 aftermath continued to influence finances, with the club relying on communal support from Chiajna to offset ongoing revenue shortfalls estimated at 20-30% from pre-pandemic levels in lower-tier Romanian football. Ownership under the Chiajna Commune has remained stable since 2019, with Chairman Cristian Tănase overseeing efforts to bolster the budget through local partnerships aimed at a return to Liga I. As of November 14, 2025, in the ongoing 2025–26 Liga II season, Concordia sits 10th in the standings after 12 matches, with 5 wins, 2 draws, and 5 losses for 17 points, under the guidance of head coach Andrei Cristea, who assumed the role in September 2024 to lead the promotion charge. The squad's current form emphasizes defensive solidity, conceding an average of 0.9 goals per game, as part of broader initiatives to enhance competitiveness and secure top-tier reinstatement.Achievements
League Honours
CS Concordia Chiajna has not won any titles in the Romanian Liga I or Liga II, maintaining a record focused on stability and promotions rather than championships. The club's highest achievement in the top flight came during its debut season in 2011–12, finishing 9th in the Liga I with 45 points from 34 matches, and 11th in 2017–18 with 30 points from 40 matches under the split-format league structure.[21] The team earned promotion to Liga II for the first time in 2007 after winning their regional series in Liga III, marking the start of their ascent through the divisions. Four years later, in the 2010–11 season, Concordia secured promotion to Liga I by finishing 2nd in Liga II with 61 points from 30 matches, beginning an eight-season stint in the top tier from 2011–12 to 2018–19.[22][21] Over those eight Liga I seasons, Concordia played 296 matches, recording 77 wins, 83 draws, and 136 losses for a total of 271 points, reflecting a mid-table presence without qualifying for European competitions. The club's sustained participation in higher divisions has been bolstered by substantial funding from the local commune of Chiajna, including allocations exceeding €1 million in single quarters from public budgets.[23][24][25]Cup Competitions
CS Concordia Chiajna achieved its most significant success in cup competitions by reaching the final of the 2015–16 Cupa Ligii, where it lost 1–2 after extra time to Steaua București on July 17, 2016.[26] The team played five matches in the tournament, scoring nine goals across the qualifying round, round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final.[27] In the Cupa României, Concordia Chiajna's deepest run was the quarter-finals in the 2012–13 edition, where it was eliminated 0–2 on aggregate by CFR Cluj. The club has never won the competition and typically exits in early rounds during its Liga I tenures. In the 2016–17 edition, it was eliminated in the round of 32 after a 0–1 loss to Dacia Unirea Brăila.[28] Prior to its Liga I promotions, Concordia recorded successes in lower-division playoffs, including promotion from Liga III to Liga II in 2007 after topping Serie IV and prevailing in any required qualification matches. Similarly, in 2011, it secured direct promotion to Liga I by finishing second in Liga II Serie I, bypassing playoffs due to the format. These achievements marked pivotal cup-like qualification successes in the club's ascent.[29]Competitive Record
Season-by-Season Summary
The season-by-season league record of CS Concordia Chiajna reflects its progression from mid-table finishes in Liga II to a period of stability in Liga I, followed by a return to the second tier after relegation in 2019.[30] The club achieved promotion via playoffs in 2011 and experienced a turning point with relegation after the 2018–19 season.[23]| Season | Division | Position | Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007–08 | Liga II (Seria I) | 5th | 57 | 17 wins in 34 matches [31] |
| 2008–09 | Liga II (Seria I) | 8th | 39 | - |
| 2009–10 | Liga II (Seria I) | 7th | 46 | [32] |
| 2010–11 | Liga II (Seria I) | 2nd | 61 | Promotion to Liga I via playoffs [33] |
| 2011–12 | Liga I | 9th | 45 | [34] |
| 2012–13 | Liga I | 15th | 33 | Relegation play-off; retained in Liga I [23] |
| 2013–14 | Liga I | 14th | 39 | [23] |
| 2014–15 | Liga I | 12th | 41 | [23] |
| 2015–16 | Liga I | 11th | 35 | Play-off participation [23] |
| 2016–17 | Liga I | 13th | 35 | Play-out participation [35] |
| 2017–18 | Liga I | 12th | 33 | Play-out [36] |
| 2018–19 | Liga I | 14th | 19 | Relegated via play-out [23] |
| 2019–20 | Liga II | 3rd | 40 | Season suspended due to COVID-19 after 19 matches; promotion play-off; failed to promote |
| 2020–21 | Liga II | 13th | 24 | - |
| 2021–22 | Liga II | 5th | 36 | [37] |
| 2022–23 | Liga II | 8th | 29 | [21] |
| 2023–24 | Liga II | 12th | 25 | [21] |
| 2024–25 | Liga II | 14th | 23 | [21] |
| 2025–26 | Liga II | 10th | 20 | Ongoing as of November 14, 2025 (after 13 matches) [3] |
All-Time League Statistics
CS Concordia Chiajna has competed in Romania's top two football divisions since its promotion to Liga II in the 2007–08 season, accumulating a total of approximately 390 matches across Liga I and Liga II as of November 2025 (adjusted for corrected season data). In Liga I, the club played 228 matches between the 2011–12 and 2018–19 seasons, recording 60 wins, 66 draws, and 102 losses, while scoring 238 goals and conceding 352 (updated based on full season records). This period marked the club's most sustained presence in the top flight, though it often finished in the lower half of the table.[21] In Liga II, Chiajna has appeared in 161 matches from the 2007–08 season through the ongoing 2025–26 campaign, achieving approximately 70 wins, 45 draws, and 46 losses, with 210 goals scored and 170 conceded (recalculated). The 2010–11 season stands out as a highlight, with promotion secured after 17 wins in 30 matches. Overall, these divisional totals reflect a mid-table performance profile, with a win percentage of approximately 30% across both leagues combined.[21]| Division | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liga I (2011–12 to 2018–19) | 228 | 60 | 66 | 102 | 238 | 352 | 26.3 |
| Liga II (2007–08 to 2025–26*) | 161 | 70 | 45 | 46 | 210 | 170 | 43.5 |
| Total | 389 | 130 | 111 | 148 | 448 | 522 | 33.4 |
Current Team and Staff
First-Team Squad
As of November 2025, the first-team squad of CS Concordia Chiajna for the 2025–26 Liga II season comprises 27 players, with an average age of 25.0 years.[38] The team is led by captain Mihai Bălașa, a veteran centre-back, under the management of head coach Andrei Cristea, whose selections emphasize a balance of defensive solidity and attacking versatility.[39] The roster includes seven foreign players and features one notable loanee, highlighting the club's strategy to blend experience with emerging talent in the second tier.Goalkeepers
| No. | Player Name | Age | Nationality | Contract Until |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Danylo Kucher | 28 | Ukraine | 30 Jun 2026 |
| 26 | Ștefan Fara | 24 | Romania | - |
| 12 | Filip Munteanu | 18 | Romania | - |
Defenders
| No. | Player Name | Age | Nationality | Contract Until | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Mihai Bălașa (captain) | 30 | Romania | - | |
| 6 | Dorin Pop | 21 | Romania | 30 Jun 2026 | |
| 16 | Costin Ghiocel | 31 | Romania | - | |
| 3 | Denis Dumitrașcu | 30 | Romania | - | |
| 21 | Mihai Dobrescu | 33 | Romania | - | |
| 22 | Adrian Iancu | 19 | Romania | - | |
| - | Fabinho | 24 | Portugal | 30 Jun 2026 | |
| - | Ionuț Florea | 19 | Romania | - |
Midfielders
| No. | Player Name | Age | Nationality | Contract Until |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | Cătălin Carp | 32 | Moldova / Romania | - |
| 8 | Tomce Grozdanovski | 25 | North Macedonia | - |
| 11 | Ousman Marong | 26 | The Gambia | - |
| 5 | Rareș Lazăr | 26 | Romania | - |
| 15 | Aurelian Ciuciulete | 22 | Romania | - |
| 7 | Robert Mănică | 18 | Romania | - |
| 27 | Darius Mocanu | 18 | Romania | - |
Forwards
| No. | Player Name | Age | Nationality | Contract Until | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | Alexandru Burcea | 20 | Romania | 30 Jun 2027 | |
| 23 | Nicolae Carnat | 27 | Romania | - | |
| 13 | Darius Grigore | 18 | Romania | - | |
| 20 | Alexandru Gîrbiță | 25 | Romania | - | |
| 22 | Moussa Samake | 20 | Mali | 30 Jun 2026 | On loan from CFR Cluj[40] |
| 18 | Alexandru Boiciuc | 28 | Moldova / Romania | - | |
| 9 | Claudiu Bălan | 31 | Romania | - | |
| 24 | Mihai Neicuțescu | 27 | Romania | - | |
| 27 | David Păcuraru | 19 | Romania | 30 Jun 2026 |
Technical and Management Staff
The technical and management staff at CS Concordia Chiajna oversee the club's operations in Liga II, with a focus on coaching, administration, and support functions following the club's return to the second tier after relegation in 2019. Andrei Cristea serves as the head coach, appointed on September 23, 2025, bringing experience from previous managerial roles in Romanian football.[41] Assisting him is Marius Pena as assistant manager, appointed October 10, 2024, who contributes to tactical preparation and player development.[41] The goalkeeping coaching is handled by Emilian Dolha, appointed March 19, 2025, responsible for specialized training in shot-stopping and distribution.[41] Fitness staff support physical conditioning, though specific names are not publicly detailed in current records.[41] At the management level, the club is owned by the Chiajna Commune, providing local governance and funding stability.[42] Cristian Tănase acts as chairman, leading administrative decisions and strategic direction as outlined in the club's organizational structure.[43] Gabriel Tamaș holds the role of sporting director, appointed March 14, 2024, overseeing recruitment and scouting efforts to identify talent for the squad.[41] The medical team manages player health and injury rehabilitation, with roles including physiotherapists and doctors, while scouting operations focus on domestic prospects under the sporting director's guidance.[41]| Role | Name | Appointment Date | Nationality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head Coach | Andrei Cristea | 23/09/2025 | Romanian |
| Assistant Manager | Marius Pena | 10/10/2024 | Romanian |
| Goalkeeping Coach | Emilian Dolha | 19/03/2025 | Romanian |
| Sporting Director | Gabriel Tamaș | 14/03/2024 | Romanian |
| Chairman | Cristian Tănase | - | Romanian |