Nomadic striker Muhammed Badamosi moves to Romanian runners-up

Muhammed Badamosi is off to Romania after Liga 1 club CFR Cluj announced the acquisition of the Gambian striker from Serbian side Čukarički on Saturday.

The giant goal poacher now has an opportunity to play in the UEFA Europa League after joining the eight-time Romanian champions, who finished as runners-up to champions FCSB this past season. Romania will be the seventh nation for the 26-year-old journeyman in his career so far.

Badamosi spent the 2024-25 season on loan at two different clubs from Čukarički. A difficult first half of the season saw his loan terminated with Belgium’s Standard Liège (0 goals in 9 games) but Badamosi regained some confidence on a second loan to Saudi second tier side Abha Club. He produced 6 goals and 3 assists in 15 games for the 8th place finishers.

Romania may prove to be a good level for Badamosi, whose most productive seasons were in Serbia with Čukarički. The former Real de Banjul and FUS Rabat player is inconsistent with regard to scoring goals but his towering physical profile and moments of brilliance suggest there is more to come. Badamosi will play for famous wide player Dan Petrescu, who played for Chelsea during his playing career and represented Romania at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cups.

The 2025-26 season is already underway for Cluj, who held Hungarian club Paks to a 0-0 first leg draw away from home to begin their qualifying campaign in the Europa League. The Romanian Cup holders also lost 1-2 to FCSB on July 5 in the nation’s Super Cup to kick off the Romanian season.