Raji Ayomide seals loan switch from U Cluj to Popesti Leordeni

Nigeria midfielder Raji Ayomide has joined Romanian side Sport Club Popesti Leordeni on loan from SuperLiga club U Cluj. The 20-year-old defensive midfielder will spend the 2026-27 campaign with the Liga 2 outfit.

Ayomide, who stands at 1.88m and is right-footed, arrives with a contract at Popesti Leordeni running until 30 June 2027 as part of the loan arrangement. The move keeps him in Romanian football while offering a step into regular senior action in the country’s second tier.

He heads to Popesti Leordeni after a spell on the books of U Cluj, who signed him in October 2025. Since then he has already experienced Romanian football at different levels, including a loan stint at CSM Olimpia Satu Mare during the 2025-26 season following his initial months with Cluj.

Before moving to Romania, Ayomide spent time with Jimmy FA and had a loan spell in Israel at Hapoel Petah Tikva’s under-19 side, building experience in different football environments as a teenager. His current market value is listed at €25,000.

Ayomide is yet to feature this season, with Popesti Leordeni involved in domestic competition as well as qualifying rounds for European tournaments. The loan agreement includes a scheduled return to U Cluj at the end of June 2027.

The Nigerian midfielder’s temporary move means he now becomes part of Popesti Leordeni’s squad for the 2026-27 campaign, joining from U Cluj on a season-long loan.