CFR Cluj
CFR Cluj is a Romanian professional football club based in Cluj-Napoca, Cluj County, founded in 1907 when Transylvania was part of Austria-Hungary. The club competes in Liga I and plays their home matches at the Dr. Constantin Rădulescu Stadium, which has a capacity of 23,500. Since their promotion to the top flight in 2004, CFR Cluj has become one of Romania's most successful clubs, winning eight Liga I titles, five Cupa României, and four Supercupa României. The club achieved remarkable domestic dominance between 2017 and 2022, securing five consecutive championships, and has qualified multiple times for UEFA Champions League and Europa League group stages.
History
Overview
General information about the club
CFR Cluj was established in 1907 under the name Kolozsvári Vasutas Sport Club when Cluj-Napoca was part of Austria-Hungary. The club's current name is an acronym for Căile Ferate Române ("Romanian Railways"), reflecting its historical connection to the national railway system. Before 2004, CFR primarily competed in lower divisions, but since their promotion to Liga I, they have increasingly relied on foreign players to achieve success and have become a dominant force in Romanian football.
Most recent season and achievements
CFR Cluj has secured 17 domestic trophies, all achieved in the 21st century. The club's most successful period came between 2017 and 2022 when they won five consecutive Liga I championships. In addition to domestic success, CFR has qualified three times each for the UEFA Champions League and Europa League group stages, and twice for the Europa Conference League group stages, establishing themselves as Romania's premier football club.
History
Early years
CFR was founded in 1907 as Kolozsvári Vasutas Sport Club when Cluj-Napoca was part of Austria-Hungary. From 1907 to 1910, the team played in the municipal championship without notable achievements. In 1911, they won the newly organized Championship of Transylvania and consistently finished second between 1911 and 1914. After World War I, when Transylvania joined Romania, the club changed its name to CFR Cluj, maintaining links with the Romanian state railway carrier. They won regional titles in 1918-19 and 1919-20.
Between 1920 and 1934, the club had no notable achievements. From 1934 to 1936, CFR played in Divizia B before being relegated to Divizia C. After World War II, they earned promotion back to Divizia B and in 1947, following a merger with Ferar Cluj, played in Divizia A for the first time. However, they lasted only two years in the first league. In 1960, another merger with Rapid Cluj resulted in CSM Cluj, and in 1964, the team's name was changed to Clujeana before reverting to CFR Cluj in 1967.
Successful period
In 1969, CFR finished first in Divizia B and returned to the top flight under coach Constantin Rădulescu. Their 1969-70 debut season saw them avoid relegation despite early struggles. The 1972-73 season became the most successful in CFR's history when they achieved their highest ranking ever, finishing fifth in Divizia A. This success was largely due to the transfer of Mihai Adam from Universitatea Cluj, who became Romania's top scorer for the third time. The club's current stadium was also built in 1973, inaugurated with a friendly against Cuba.
However, the subsequent seasons saw CFR struggle to maintain their position. The 1975-76 season marked their relegation and last season in Divizia A during the 20th century, with the aging squad being a contributing factor to their decline.
Crisis and recovery
From 1976 to 2002, CFR alternated between the second and third divisions. During the 1977-78 season, they attempted a comeback but finished second in Divizia B. Four years later, they slid into Divizia C. In the 1990s, CFR struggled financially and found themselves repeatedly on the brink of bankruptcy, though they managed to develop talented players including Cristian Dulca, Attila Piroska, and Alin Minteuan.
In January 2002, businessman Árpád Pászkány became the new sponsor, founding a commercial sport society. By the end of the 2001-02 season, CFR had been promoted back to Divizia B. The summer of 2003 brought important transfers, and CFR entered the first league after a successful 2003-04 campaign in Divizia B.
Current period
CFR's return to Liga I in 2004 marked the beginning of their modern era. Their first European adventure came in 2005 with the UEFA Intertoto Cup, where they reached the final before losing to RC Lens. Under Ioan Andone, CFR won their first national championship in 2007-08, ending a 17-year dominance by Bucharest-based teams and completing a league and cup double.
The period from 2008 to 2012 saw CFR establish themselves as a major force, winning three Liga I titles and making notable Champions League appearances, including a memorable victory over AS Roma and draws with Chelsea. Financial difficulties between 2012 and 2017 led to insolvency and point deductions, but the club recovered under new ownership by Marian Băgăcean in 2017.
Since 2017, CFR has dominated Romanian football, winning five consecutive titles between 2018 and 2022 under coaches including Dan Petrescu and Edward Iordănescu. They have also returned to regular European competition, reaching the Europa League Round of 32 in 2019-20 and participating in the inaugural Europa Conference League.
Achievements and Honors
Domestic competitions
CFR Cluj has won eight Liga I titles (2007-08, 2009-10, 2011-12, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22), making them the most successful team outside Bucharest in the modern era. They have also claimed five Cupa României trophies (2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2015-16, 2024-25) and four Supercupa României titles (2009, 2010, 2018, 2020). In lower divisions, they won Divizia B twice and Divizia C seven times.
Continental and global competitions
CFR's most notable European achievement was reaching the UEFA Intertoto Cup final in 2005, where they finished as joint runners-up. In the Champions League, they hold the record for most points obtained by a Romanian club in the group stages with 10 points in 2012-13. They also set the record for most points by a Romanian club in Europa League group stages with 12 points in 2019-20, reaching the Round of 32 where they were eliminated by Sevilla on away goals.
Symbols and Colors
Current logo and logo history
The source material does not provide specific information about CFR Cluj's logo design or its historical evolution.
Traditional home and away kits colors
CFR Cluj is known as "the White and Burgundies," indicating their traditional color scheme of white and burgundy. However, the source does not provide detailed information about specific kit designs or away colors.
Traditional club anthem
The source material does not contain information about CFR Cluj's traditional club anthem.
Traditional Rivals
Universitatea Cluj
CFR Cluj has a fierce rivalry with local opponents Universitatea Cluj. According to journalist Răzvan Toma, the first match between the two teams was played on 13 October 1920, when CFR won 8-0 in Central Park. Their matches are known as Derbiul Clujului (the Cluj Derby), representing the most intense rivalry for the club.
FCSB
In recent years, CFR has developed a significant rivalry with FCSB (formerly FC Steaua București) as they frequently compete for the Liga I title. In 2019, Liga Profesionistă de Fotbal's website referred to matches between these teams as "the Romanian Derby," highlighting the importance of this rivalry in contemporary Romanian football.
Club Traditions and Behind the Scenes
Sponsors
The most significant sponsor in CFR's history was businessman Árpád Pászkány, who took over the club in 2002 and provided substantial financial backing that enabled their rise to prominence. His investment was crucial in the club's return to Liga I and subsequent success, including their first national championship in 2007-08.
Nicknames
CFR Cluj is commonly known as "the White and Burgundies" due to their traditional colors. They are also referred to as "the Railwaymen" (Ceferiștii in Romanian), reflecting their historical connection to the Romanian Railways system.
Ownership and finances
In early 2017, businessman Marian Băgăcean purchased a 62% stake in the club, taking over from previous owner Árpád Pászkány. On 30 May 2017, CFR Cluj finally emerged from insolvency, allowing them to participate in European competitions again starting with the 2018-19 season.
Traditions and culture
CFR Cluj was the subject of a documentary film titled "The Theatre of Dreams" directed by Laviniu Lazăr, focusing on their 2012-13 UEFA Champions League season and historic victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford. The film was presented at the Transilvania International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2013.
Stadium
CFR Cluj plays their home games at the Dr. Constantin Rădulescu Stadium, which was expanded in 2008 to seat a maximum capacity of 23,500. The stadium meets all UEFA regulations and can host Champions League matches. In 2006-07, with an investment of €30 million, the club upgraded the field with higher quality turf, built a state-of-the-art lighting system, and updated infrastructure. All work was completed for the club's 100th anniversary in 2007, when a friendly game was played against Portuguese side Benfica.