FC Viitorul Constanța

Fotbal Club Viitorul Constanța (Romanian pronunciation: [vi.iˈtorul konˈstantsa]), commonly known as Viitorul Constanța or simply Viitorul, was a Romanian professional football club based in Ovidiu, Constanța County. They last played their home matches in blue and black kits at the Stadionul Viitorul, situated a few kilometres north of the city of Constanța.

Viitorul Constanța
Full nameFotbal Club Viitorul Constanța[1]
Nickname(s)
  • Puștii lui Hagi (Hagi's Kids)
  • Constănțenii (The People from Constanța)
Short nameViitorul
Founded2009 (2009)
Dissolved2021 (merged with Farul Constanța)
GroundViitorul
Capacity4,500
2020–21Liga I, 10th of 16

Founded in 2009 by Gheorghe Hagi, the team was particularly known for promoting young talents from its academy,[2] which earned them the nickname "Hagi's Kids". With the former Romanian international also acting as a coach, Viitorul Constanța had its first major success in the 2016–17 campaign, when it became the first side from the region of Dobruja to win the national title.[3] Two years later, it also won the Romanian Cup and the Romanian Supercup.

In June 2021, owner Gheorghe Hagi, chairman Gheorghe Popescu and Farul Constanța owner Ciprian Marica announced in a press conference that their two clubs have merged; second division club Farul Constanța therefore took Viitorul's berth in the first league from the 2021–22 Liga I season.

History

Founding and early years (2009–2012)
The first logo used by Viitorul Constanța's senior team.

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 rights of CSO Ovidiu. It has been owned since its creation by former Romanian international Gheorghe Hagi.[2][4]

During the team's first season in Romanian football, they achieved promotion to the 2010–11 Liga II in round 33 after a fierce battle with ACS Berceni towards the end of the campaign. In the 2011–12 Liga II, Viitorul finished second in the standings and were promoted to the top-flight the following season.

Domestic trophies and European participations (2012–2021)

In the 2012–13 season, Viitorul made its first appearance in Liga I in the club's history. With 8 victories, 12 draws, and 13 defeats, it finished in 13th place with 36 points thereby avoiding relegation. Viitorul had notable victories, but was ever-present in relegation battles for the following two campaigns.

In 2016, Viitorul finished in 5th place, earning a spot in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League. Drawn against Belgian side Gent in their first European match, Viitorul was defeated 0–5 at the Ghelamco Arena.

Viitorul players in a UEFA Europa League qualifier against Red Bull Salzburg, August 2017.

On 13 May 2017, Viitorul managed to win the Liga I after a 1–0 home victory over CFR Cluj. It was the first major trophy in the club's history and ensured qualification for the UEFA Champions League.[3] With an average age of 22.2 years, "Hagi's Kids" were the season's youngest league champion in Europe .[5][6] In the third qualifying round of the Champions League, after a 1–0 win against APOEL at home, Viitorul once again suffered a harsh away defeat (0–4 a.e.t.).

Merger with Farul (2021)

On 21 June 2021, Gheorghe Hagi, owner and founder of Viitorul, Gheorghe Popescu, chairman of Viitorul, and Ciprian Marica, owner of Farul Constanța, announced in a press conference that their two clubs from Constanța County have merged. Farul took Viitorul's place in the Liga I, while Viitorul virtually disappeared in the process of the merger. With the Farul Stadium in an advanced state of degradation, the new entity moved to the Viitorul Stadium in Ovidiu.[7][8][9]

Youth program
Main article: Gheorghe Hagi Football Academy

Viitorul Constanța was known for developing young players in Romania and having some of the best facilities in the country.[10] The Academy was inherited by Farul Constanța following the 2021 merger.

Grounds
Main article: Viitorul Stadium

Viitorul returned to the newly-expanded Stadionul Viitorul in Ovidiu in the summer of 2015, on which it played until the club's disappearance in 2021.

Honours

Leagues

Cups

Records and statistics

European Cups history
Season Competition Round Opponent Home Away Aggregate
2016–17 UEFA Europa League 3Q Belgium Gent 0–0 0–5 0–5
2017–18 UEFA Champions League 3Q Cyprus APOEL 1–0 0–4 (a.e.t.) 1–4
UEFA Europa League PO Austria Red Bull Salzburg 1–3 0–4 1–7
2018–19 UEFA Europa League 1Q Luxembourg Racing FC 0–0 2–0 2–0
2Q Netherlands Vitesse Arnhem 2–2 1–3 3–5
2019–20 UEFA Europa League 2Q Belgium Gent 2–1 3–6 5–7
Notes
  • 1Q: First qualifying round
  • 2Q: Second qualifying round
  • 3Q: Third qualifying round
  • PO: Play-off round

European cups all-time statistics
As of 1 August 2019
Competition S P W D L GF GA GD
UEFA Europa League 4102351124−13
UEFA Champions League 1210114−3
Total5123361228−16

League history

References
  1. "Deciziile Comitetului Executiv din 3 iulie 2019" [The Executive Committee's decisions on 3 July 2019] (in Romanian). Romanian Football Federation. 3 July 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2019. FC Viitorul SA changes its name to Fotbal Club Viitorul Constanța SA.
  2. "Gheorghe Hagi creating a new legacy for Romanian football". World Soccer. 22 March 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  3. "Bucurie fără margini la Ovidiu! Hagi și căpitanul Benzar au ridicat trofeul. Sărbătoare şi la vestiar" [Boundless joy at Ovidiu! Hagi and captain Benzar lifted the trophy. Party in the locker room too] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 13 May 2017. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  4. "Gheorghe and Ianis Hagi building the future of Romanian football at Viitorul". ESPN. 26 August 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  5. "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!" [Hagi's Viitorul, on the road of managing the impossible in football. The Constanța People can become the youngest champion of Europe of Sunday, with an incredible average age!] (in Romanian). Dolce Sport. 11 May 2017. Archived from the original on 28 July 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  6. "Viitorul, cea mai tânără campioană din Europa" [Viitorul, the youngest champion of Europe] (in Romanian). Sibiu 100%. 19 May 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  7. "Viitorul și Farul Constanța au fuzionat. În Liga 1 va juca Farul, antrenor va fi Gheorghe Hagi, iar acționarii echipei sunt Hagi, Ciprian Marica și Zoltan Iasko" [Viitorul and Farul Constanța merged. Farul will play in the Liga I, Gheorghe Hagi will be the coach, and the team's shareholders are Hagi, Ciprian Marica and Zoltan Iasko] (in Romanian). liga2.prosport.ro. 21 June 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  8. "Fuziunea Farul - Viitorul, anunțată oficial! Gică Hagi revine pe bancă. Ce nume va avea noua echipă" [The Farul - Viitorul merger, officially announced! Gica Hagi returns to the bench. What name will the new team have] (in Romanian). digisport.ro. 21 June 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  9. "Viitorul și Farul Constanța au fuzionat: Gică Hagi va fi antrenor » Cum arată conducerea, primele transferuri + promisiune pentru un nou stadion" [Viitorul and Farul Constanța merged: Gică Hagi will be the coach »What the management looks like, the first transfers + promise for a new stadium] (in Romanian). gsp.ro. 21 June 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  10. "Whatever I do, I am still only the son of Hagi". The Times. 12 October 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  11. Trivedi, Hanu (10 March 2020). "Project 2034: How an Indian club is undertaking the most ambitious youth football project in the world". heartof.football. Heart of Football. Archived from the original on 19 July 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
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