Plesan plumps for Steaua switch

FC Steaua Bucuresti have beaten arch-rivals FC Dinamo 1948 Bucuresti to the signature of Romania midfielder Mihaita Plesan from FC Politehnica 1921 Stiinta Timisoara.

Five-year deal
The highly-rated 24-year-old seemed set to join his former club Dinamo after a deal was agreed between the Romanian champions and Politehnica, but he has instead opted for a five-year contract at Steaua. Plesan, who began his career with FC Universitatea Craiova and played for Dinamo in the first half of the 2005/06 season before moving to Politehnica, scored twice in their 2-2 draw at CFR 1907 Cluj yesterday and was then offered the chance to go to Steaua.

Heart's choice
Plesan, capped seven times by Romania, said: "It was a choice which I made with my heart. Steaua coach Gheorghe Hagi has wanted me for a long time and now my aim is to qualify for the UEFA Champions League group stage, to win the championship and the Romanian Cup." Steaua president George Becali added: "I have wanted Plesan for ages. Last night, when I saw the match in Cluj and I heard that Dinamo had made him an offer, I called him and I made him a better offer."

Group stage hope
If Steaua make the most of a 1-0 lead when they welcome Zagłębie Lubin to Bucharest for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League second qualifying round tie on Wednesday, Plesan could be eligible to meet FH Hafnarfjördur or FC BATE Borisov for a place in the group stage.