FC Viitorul Constanța
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| Full name | Fotbal Club Viitorul Constanța | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Puștii lui Hagi (Hagi's Kids) | |||
| Short name | Viitorul | |||
| Founded | 2009 | |||
| Ground | Viitorul | |||
| Capacity | 4,500 | |||
| Owner | Gheorghe Hagi | |||
| Chairman | Octavean Pavel | |||
| Manager | Gheorghe Hagi | |||
| League | Liga I | |||
| 2016–17 | Liga I, 1st (champions) | |||
| Website | http://fcviitorul.ro/ | |||
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Fotbal Club Viitorul Constanța (Romanian pronunciation: [vi.iˈtorul konˈstant͡sa]), commonly known as Viitorul Constanța, or simply as Viitorul, is a Romanian professional football club based in Ovidiu, Constanța County, currently playing in the Liga I.
Founded in 2009 by former Romanian international Gheorghe Hagi, the club is particularly known for promoting young talents from its academy,[1] hence the nickname "Hagi's Kids". Viitorul had its first major success in 2017, when they became the first club from the county to win the national title.[2]
The team plays its home matches in blue and black kits at the Stadionul Viitorul, situated a few kilometres north of the city of Constanța.
History
Founding and early years (2009–2012)
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.[1][3]
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 (2012–)
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, they finished on the 13th place with 36 points and maintained themselves in the first division. The club's first notable victories were against Steaua București (5–2) and Dinamo București (3–2). Viitorul however struggled to avoid relegation in the following two campaigns.
In 2016, Viitorul qualified for the championship play-offs where they finished on the 5th place, thus earning a spot in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League and being drawn against Belgian side Gent. In their first European match, they suffered a bitter 0–5 defeat at the Ghelamco Arena.
On 13 May 2017, Viitorul Constanța managed to win the Liga I after a 1–0 home victory over CFR Cluj, being the first major trophy in their history and also ensuring qualification for the Champions League in the process.[2] With the squad having an average player age of 22.2 years, "Hagi's Kids" were the season's youngest league champion in Europe.[4][5]
Youth program
Viitorul Constanța is best known for developing young players in Romania and possesses the top youth facilities of any club in the country.[6]
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.
Honours
Domestic
Leagues
Cups
- Supercupa României
- Runners-up (1): 2017
Players
First team squad
- As of 8 July 2017
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Club officials
Current technical staff
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Management
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European record
| Season | Competition | Round | Opponent | Home | Away | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016–17 | UEFA Europa League | 3Q |  Gent
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0–0 | 0–5 | 0–5 |
| 2017–18 | UEFA Champions League | 3Q |
References
- ^ a b "Gheorghe Hagi creating a new legacy for Romanian football". World Soccer. 22 March 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
- ^ a b "Bucurie fără margini la Ovidiu! Hagi și căpitanul Benzar au ridicat trofeul. Sărbătoare şi la vestiar" (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 13 May 2017. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|trans_title=ignored (|trans-title=suggested) (help) - ^ "Gheorghe and Ianis Hagi building the future of Romanian football at Viitorul". ESPN. 26 August 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
- ^ "ANALIZĂ Viitorul lui Hagi, pe cale de a reuși imposibilul în fotbal. Constănțenii pot deveni sâmbătă cea mai tânără campioană din Europa, cu o medie de vârstă incredibilă!" (in Romanian). Dolce Sport. 11 May 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|trans_title=ignored (|trans-title=suggested) (help) - ^ "Viitorul, cea mai tânără campioană din Europa" (in Romanian). Sibiu 100%. 19 May 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|trans_title=ignored (|trans-title=suggested) (help) - ^ "'Whatever I do, I am still only the son of Hagi'". The Times. 12 October 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
External links
- Official website
- Official Facebook profile
- Club profile on UEFA's official website
- Club profile on LPF's official website
