Dragos’ First CFC Interview – ‘I was born with football in my blood’

Chennai, August 24, 2019: Romanian winger Dragos Firtulescu today completed a free transfer to Chennaiyin FC, that will see him ply his trade at the two-time Indian Super League champions for the 2019-20 season. The 30-year-old wide man comes with bundles of experience in Romania, Cyprus, Hungary and recently Bulgaria. His previous assignment was at Bulgarian top tier side FC Dunav 2010 Ruse.

In a free-wheeling phone conversation with the club, new signing Dragos opened up on his aspirations with CFC, philosophy in life and much more. When quizzed about his conversations with Head Coach John Gregory so far, he said, “John (Gregory) has given me a lot of support and encouragement already. I will repay the faith that has been bestowed in me, and I will prove it to him and all the supporters that I deserve to wear the CFC jersey.”

On the club’s vociferous support, Dragos is looking forward to interacting with the fans in sheer anticipation. “Without the fans, we cannot succeed. With them, we are more powerful. We will do everything to put on a show and achieve everything our ardent fans deserve,” the former Romania youth international said.

Dragos expressed his eagerness and enthusiasm to join up with the squad in pre-season. A lively and positive presence on and off the pitch, Dragos surely promises to be a fantastic addition to the squad. “It is important to sweat and work hard in pre-season. I will try to be a good example wherever I play, I will try my utmost best. From a very young age, I understood that it is important to give everything to football, only then you will get back everything good in return.”

That statement from Dragos underlines his staunch belief in the role that karma plays in one’s life. He attributes his parents for imbibing these values as well as the love for football in him, from the outset. “I was born with football in my blood. My father was a huge football lover, and he would take me for matches to the stadium from a very young age. I started playing from the age of seven, and left home when I was ten. From then, football has been my everything. Whatever I do in life, football is central to it.”

Born in the city of Craiova, Dragos grew up idolizing legendary Romanian midfielder Gheorghe Hagi. He began his professional career at FC Universitatea Craoiva, before playing for other clubs around the country. He even crossed paths with fellow Romanian Lucian Goian, when the latter used to play for Dinamo Bucharest. Dragos now follows in Goian’s footsteps, becoming the second Romanian to sign for CFC.

“It will be good to have Lucian (Goian) around, but I am a very easy going, happy-go-lucky and adaptable guy. I like to have new experiences, and I am truly excited to see what lies in store for me in India. In my life, I have always aspired to be at the top, and so we will do everything to achieve the target of a third ISL title for CFC. Let’s go!’ Dragos exclaimed.

Dragos described his own style of play as one where he loves dribbling and having a go at the opposition. “I am a technical player, I love to dribble, run at the opposition and assist goals. I can play on the right, left, even as a playmaker. But in the end, what is most important is to help the team and to know that I have given my best,” he added. 

When quizzed if his name means ‘beloved’ in his native tongue, Dragos chuckles and replies, “I don’t know about all that! All I know is that I need to be good to people around me. It doesn’t matter to me, what people say or do around me. For me, it is important to be happy and positive. And to laugh!”

With his attributes on the field and attitude off the field, Dragos has all the makings of a fan favourite, as Chennaiyin inch ever closer to pre-season.