Fans are stunned by Kurt Zouma signing with CFR Cluj. The French defender, once a Champions League winner with Chelsea, has inked a two-year deal with the Romanian club. At 30 years old, he’s left West Ham as a free agent after a stint in Saudi Arabia.
This move brings over 250 Premier League games to Liga 1, sparking buzz about a new era for Cluj’s backline. Zouma’s career kicked off promisingly at Saint-Etienne before Chelsea snapped him up in 2014 for millions.
He shone under Jose Mourinho, helping secure two Premier League titles in 2015 and 2017. That 2021 Champions League triumph against Manchester City remains a highlight, with Zouma anchoring the defense in key moments.
His physicality and aerial prowess made him a fan favorite back then.After loans to Stoke and Everton, West Ham bought him for 35 million euros in 2021. There, he captained occasionally and lifted the Conference League in 2023.
But injuries slowed him down, leading to a loan at Al-Orobah last season. Now free, CFR Cluj pounced, seeing his experience as a boost for their title chase. Club president Cristi Balaj called it a game-changer.
The announcement hit on September 3, 2025, via a fun video on Cluj’s social media. Zouma himself posted, “A new chapter unlocked. Romania, Kurt Zouma is here.” Negotiations wrapped quickly, aided by Mikael Silvestre, a former Man United star now linked to the club.
The deal includes an option for two more years, fitting Zouma’s market value around 10 million euros. Social media lit up with reactions to Kurt Zouma signing with CFR Cluj. Some praised the ambition, saying it elevates Romanian football.
Others joked about the downgrade from Premier League glamour to Liga 1 battles. Gigi Becali, FCSB’s boss, dismissed it lightly, focusing on value over hype.
Kurt Zouma Cat scandal
Still, many see it as a smart pickup for a team eyeing playoffs. Not everything’s rosy, though. Zouma’s 2022 cat abuse scandal resurfaced in comments. A viral video showed him kicking his pet, leading to a 300,000 euro fine, community service, and a five-year ban on owning animals.
PETA slammed the move, calling it tone-deaf. Romanian outlets tied it to past club superstitions, like a black cat incident under ex-coach Dan Petrescu, adding controversy.
Despite the noise, CFR hopes Zouma’s leadership shines through. With 11 France caps and a World Youth Championship win, he’s no stranger to pressure.
Under coach Andrea Mandorlini, he could pair with locals to tighten defense after a shaky Conference League exit. Fans search Kurt Zouma CFR Cluj reactions, blending excitement with debate.
This transfer shakes up the league. Cluj, sitting mid-table early on, aims to rebound with big names. Zouma’s arrival might draw more eyes to Romanian matches, boosting the sport here. It’s a bold bet on experience over youth, and we’ll see if it pays off in trophies.
In the end, Kurt Zouma signing with CFR Cluj marks a wild career pivot. From Chelsea stardom to Romanian fields, it’s full of surprises and second chances. As he settles in, expect more on his impact and those lingering scandal echoes. This could redefine his legacy in unexpected ways.
