A former Mamelodi Sundowns star has now reportedly reached an agreement to join one of Siyabonga Ngezana's club FCSB's biggest rivals
CFR Cluj, who look set to finish as runners-up in the Romania Super Liga after FCSB's recent league triumph, have agreed to sign Pavol Safranko from Sepsi OSK, according to HotNews.
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it is claimed the verbal agreement comes weeks after discussions between the parties involved began, with the Slovakian striker ultimately decided against extending his contract with Sepsi, whom he joined in 2022 after a short spell in South Africa.
Despite registering just eight goals and two assists in 44 matches for his current club, Safranko is said to be appreciated by Cluj boss Dan Petrescu due to his experience and imposing physique.
The centre-forward endured a disappointing spell at Masandawana, scoring just nine goals in 28 games, resulting in him lasting just one season at Chloorkop before moving on to Romania.
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Safranko admitted earlier this year that he was approached by new Romanian champions FCSB after he left Sundowns, but turned them down after they offered him a one-year deal.
"When I finished my contract in South Africa, I spoke to the FCSB, through Mr. [Ianis] Stoica [FCSB sporting director], in a very professional way," Safranko said in February, according to IamSport.
"Everything was OK, but I needed stability in a maximum percentage. My wife had given birth to my daughter, they were the reason why I decided to return to Sfantu Gheorghe.
"I also have a very good relationship with Mr. [Laszlo] Dioszegi [Sepsi owner].
"Yes, FCSB is one of the biggest clubs in Romania. I think most footballers want to play here, but as I said, I wanted stability."
Asked at the time if he would consider a move to Ngezana's team in the upcoming window, he answered: "I don't know how things will be, if Mr. [Gigi] Becali [FCSB owner] will still be angry with me. I still have a contract with Sepsi until the summer and everything is possible.
"They took [Andrea] Compagno, he was the second-best scorer in the league. The moment I came back from South Africa, all I wanted was to find a commitment for at least two years. FCSB had only offered me a one-year contract. All these things made me choose Sepsi, in the end."
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