Former Arsenal youngster Catalin Cirjan has already signed for a new club after leaving north London. The youngster spent last season on loan at Rapid Bucharest in Romania before it was confirmed that he would be leaving at the end of his contract.
Cirjan signed for the Gunners in 2019 on a free transfer from Viitorul Domnesti but never made a true breakthrough at the club despite excelling under Steve Bould’s guidance in the Under-18 side following his arrival. During the 2022/23 Europa League campaign he did make the bench four times for Mikel Arteta but a bad knee injury halted his development.
That year he managed to become a useful member of the Under-23 team in Premier League 2 but the Romanian midfielder never made a first-team appearance. Now 21, he has set about making his next steps in the game.
He has now agreed to join Dinamo Bucharest once his deal at the Emirates Stadium ends in two week’s time. In a post online he confirmed the transfer, writing, “[Translated] It’s a fresh start! Looking forward to getting the new season started! [red and white circle emojis]”.
Prior to that he had penned an emotional farewell. “Thanks @arsenal! [red heart emoji]”, he wrote last week. “I joined the club as a kid and I left like a man! I have the best memories but I went through some very tough situations like my injuries.. I fell but I always came back better and stronger but I couldn’t do all of this without the help and support from all the staff and players.
“I was so lucky to be able to play and learn from some of the best players in the world and the best coaches. Now it’s time to move on and start a new chapter in my career! [prayer hands emoji]”.
Cirjan had managed to catch the eye of Mikel Arteta at times, making his presence felt in senior training, but failed to truly kick on. He will now be aiming to make the most of his talent elsewhere.
Rapid Bucharest did have an option to buy Cirjan at the end of his loan spell last season but they did not take Arsenal up on that after he made just 16 league appearances, only starting seven, and not playing a single minute in the last two months (eight games) of the campaign. It was announced that he would be leaving the club earlier this month when Arsenal released their retained list.
Cirjan was handed a professional contract at Arsenal shortly after his 17th birthday which came following a trial in the 2018/19 season, and that expires at the end of June. He is one of many players that will now be seeking to further their career away from the Gunners.
