CFR Cluj: end of the road for Islam Slimani

Africa 14 April 2026 at 09:49

Nouya M'toama

News Editor

It's now official: Islam Slimani and CFR Cluj have mutually agreed to part ways. This swift separation underscores the recent struggles of the Algerian striker to establish himself for the long haul.

Arriving with the ambition to reignite his career, the 37-year-old forward failed to make a lasting impression in Romania. In 16 appearances, Slimani posted modest numbers with just one goal and two assists. These stats fall well short of expectations for a player known for his clinical touch in front of goal.

A storied career… but losing momentum

Despite this disappointing chapter, the Algiers native remains a respected name in African football. Having played for clubs like Sporting CP, Leicester City, and Olympique Lyonnais, Slimani boasts a career tally of 467 club matches, 155 goals, and 59 assists. For the Algerian national team, he is still the all-time leading scorer with 47 goals in 102 appearances.

Now a free agent, Slimani finds himself at a crossroads in his career. His market value, currently estimated at around €400,000, highlights the steady decline from the €25 million heights reached at his peak.