Fotbal Club Viitorul ConstanÃÂa (), commonly known as Viitorul ConstanÃÂa or simply Viitorul, was a Romanian professional football club based in Ovidiu, ConstanÃÂa County. They last played their home matches in blue and black kits at the Stadionul Viitorul, situated a few kilometres north of the city of ConstanÃÂa.
Founded in 2009 by Gheorghe Hagi, the team was particularly known for promoting young talents from its academy, which earned them the nickname "Hagi's Kids". With the former Romanian international also acting as a coach, Viitorul ConstanÃÂa had its first major success in the 2016âÂÂ17 campaign, when it became the first side from the region of Dobruja to win the national title. Two years later, it also won the Romanian Cup and the Romanian Supercup.
In June 2021, owner Gheorghe Hagi, chairman Gheorghe Popescu and Farul ConstanÃÂa owner Ciprian Marica announced in a press conference that their two clubs have merged; second division club Farul ConstanÃÂa therefore took Viitorul's berth in the first league from the 2021âÂÂ22 Liga I season.
Viitorul ConstanÃÂa was founded in the summer of 2009 and enrolled in the Liga III, the third tier of the Romanian football league system, after acquiring the playing rights of CSO Ovidiu. It has been owned since its creation by former Romanian international Gheorghe Hagi.
During the team's first season in Romanian football, they achieved promotion to the 2010âÂÂ11 Liga II in round 33 after a fierce battle with ACS Berceni towards the end of the campaign. In the 2011âÂÂ12 Liga II, Viitorul finished second in the standings and were promoted to the top-flight the following season.
In the 2012âÂÂ13 season, Viitorul made its first appearance in Liga I in the club's history. With 8 victories, 12 draws, and 13 defeats, it finished in 13th place with 36 points thereby avoiding relegation. Viitorul had notable victories, but was ever-present in relegation battles for the following two campaigns.
In 2016, Viitorul finished in 5th place, earning a spot in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League. Drawn against Belgian side Gent in their first European match, Viitorul was defeated 0âÂÂ5 at the Ghelamco Arena.
On 13 May 2017, Viitorul managed to win the Liga I after a 1âÂÂ0 home victory over CFR Cluj. It was the first major trophy in the club's history and ensured qualification for the UEFA Champions League. With an average age of 22.2 years, "Hagi's Kids" were the season's youngest league champion in Europe. In the third qualifying round of the Champions League, after a 1âÂÂ0 win against APOEL at home, Viitorul once again suffered a harsh away defeat (0âÂÂ4 a.e.t.).
On 21 June 2021, Gheorghe Hagi, owner and founder of Viitorul, Gheorghe Popescu, chairman of Viitorul, and Ciprian Marica, owner of Farul ConstanÃÂa, announced in a press conference that their two clubs from ConstanÃÂa County have merged. Farul took Viitorul's place in the Liga I, while Viitorul virtually disappeared in the process of the merger. With the Farul Stadium in an advanced state of degradation, the new entity moved to the Viitorul Stadium in Ovidiu.
Viitorul ConstanÃÂa was known for developing young players in Romania and having some of the best facilities in the country. The academy was inherited by Farul ConstanÃÂa following the 2021 merger.
Viitorul returned to the newly expanded Stadionul Viitorul in Ovidiu in the summer of 2015, on which it played until the club's disappearance in 2021.