Fotbal Club Viitorul Constanța (), 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.
Founded in 2009 by Gheorghe Hagi, the team was particularly known for promoting young talents from its academy, 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. 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)
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.
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.
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. With an average age of 22.2 years, "Hagi's Kids" were the season's youngest league champion in Europe. 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.
Youth program
Viitorul Constanța was known for developing young players in Romania and having some of the best facilities in the country. The academy was inherited by Farul Constanța following the 2021 merger.
Grounds
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
Domestic
Leagues Liga I Winners (1): 2016–17 Liga II Runners-up (1): 2011–12 Liga III Winners (1): 2009–10
Cups Cupa României Winners (1): 2018–19 Supercupa României Winners (1): 2019 Runners-up (1): 2017
Records and statistics
European Cups history Season Competition Round Opponent Home Away Aggregate 2016–17 UEFA Europa League 3Q Gent 0–0 0–5 0–5 2017–18 UEFA Champions League 3Q APOEL 1–0 0–4 (a.e.t.) 1–4 UEFA Europa League PO Red Bull Salzburg 1–3 0–4 1–72018–19UEFA Europa League 1Q Racing FC 0–0 2–0 2–02Q Vitesse Arnhem 2–2 1–3 3–5 2019–20 UEFA Europa League 2Q 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
Competition UEFA Europa League 4 10 2 3 5 11 24 −13 UEFA Champions League 1 2 1 0 1 1 4 −3 Total 5 12 3 3 6 12 28 −16
League history
Season Tier Division Place Notes Cupa României 2020–21 1 Liga I 10th Dissolved Round of 32 2019–20 1 Liga I 7th Round of 32 2018–19 1 Liga I 3rd Winners 2017–18 1 Liga I 4th Round of 16 2016–17 1 Liga I 1st (C) Champions Quarter-finals 2015–16 1 Liga I 5th Quarter-finals
Season Tier Division Place Notes Cupa României 2014–15 1 Liga I 11th Round of 16 2013–14 1 Liga I 12th Quarter-finals 2012–13 1 Liga I 13th Round of 32 2011–12 2 Liga II (Seria I) 2nd (P) Promoted Round of 32 2010–11 2 Liga II (Seria I) 8th Round of 32 2009–10 3 Liga III (Seria II) 1st (C, P) Promoted
References
External links
Club profile on UEFA's official website Club profile on LPF's official website ()