Islam Slimani, the 37-year-old Algerian international striker, quickly made a strong impression with his new club CFR Cluj. Signed in the summer of 2025, Slimani debuted in the headline match of the 10th round of the Romanian SuperLiga against UTA Arad, where he was decisive, immediately confirming his value to the team. This first match attracted special attention given the illustrious career of the former Leicester City and Sporting CP player.
The Algerian legend is no stranger to European challenges, having built a successful career with notable stints in several European leagues including Portugal, England, Turkey, and Belgium. After playing for clubs such as Lyon, Monaco, and Anderlecht, as well as returning to Algeria with CR Belouizdad, Slimani chose to join the Romanian league to continue his pursuit of competitiveness and performance—a decision he defended as motivated by the sporting challenge and his desire to keep performing at a high level.
Beyond his technical skills and experience, Slimani quickly adapted to CFR Cluj’s playing style, strengthening the offensive line with his presence, goal sense, and determination. His imposing height (1.88m) and positioning intelligence allow him to dominate in the opponent’s penalty area, a quality confirmed during his early matches where he proved effective and valuable.
Slimani’s successful integration at CFR Cluj is positive news for the Romanian club, which relies on his qualities to secure decisive victories and aim for European qualification spots. For Slimani, this new chapter is an opportunity to enrich his personal record, boasting over 100 caps and 45 goals for the Algerian national team, and to continue an exemplary career at the highest level while remaining a feared goalscorer and internationally recognized experienced player.