Kurt Zouma has completed a surprising move to Romanian SuperLiga side CFR Cluj after being convinced by a former Manchester United and Arsenal star.
The former Chelsea defender, 30, became a free agent after the expiration of his contract at West Ham United in June.
Zouma turned out 103 times for the Hammers over a four-year period after making the move across London in a deal worth around £30million in 2021.
He will now ply his trade in Transylvania however after signing a two-year contract with CFR Cluj following talks earlier this week.
The club, who finished second in the SuperLiga last season, announced Zouma’s transfer on Thursday with a statement on their website reading: ‘We are excited to announce that, starting today, Kurt Zouma is the new player on our team!
‘Zouma has an impressive career, with experience at the highest level!’
Kurt Zouma has signed for Romanian SuperLiga side CFR Cluj on a two-year contract
The former Chelsea defender, 30, became a free agent after the expiration of his contract at West Ham United
He was convinced to join the Transylvanian outfit by former Man United defender Mikael Silvestre
In a social media clip posted on the club’s social media pages, Zouma too expressed his delight.
‘New chapter unlocked Romania, Kurt Zouma is here,’ the Frenchman said.
The centre-back will have Premier League company in Cluj-Napoca after Mikael Silvestre agreed a deal to become their sporting director.
Silvestre made 275 appearances in the English top-flight during spells with Arsenal and Man United. He turned out for the Reds an impressive 361 times.
CFR Cluj club president Cristi Balaj admitted that the Englishman ‘helped’ get a deal over the line for Zouma.
‘For him [Zouma] to sign, a lot of things can happen,’ he said.
‘He’s in Cluj. When the announcement appears on the website, then I’ll speak.
‘I have a rule, I can’t speak before it appears on the website. There are chances, yes, probably tomorrow [it could be announced].
‘Now he’s here. Mikael Silvestre helps, he helps us in this aspect.
‘He comes from a free agent position. I can’t give more details.’
