FC Astra Giurgiu

FC Astra Giurgiu is a professional football club based in Giurgiu, Romania. Founded in 1921 in Ploiești, the club has a rich history that spans over a century. Originally named Astra-Română, the club was established by the Astra-Româna Society, a Romanian-American oil company.

In its early years, the club competed in the local Ploiești Championship, before making its debut in the national leagues in 1934. The club's journey in the national leagues was not smooth, as it frequently moved between divisions. However, it managed to maintain a consistent presence in the second division.

In 1998, the club was taken over by Ioan Niculae, a Romanian businessman. Under his ownership, the club saw a significant transformation. It was renamed FC Astra Ploiești and its financial situation improved, allowing it to attract better players and compete at a higher level.

In 2009, the club made a controversial move from Ploiești to Giurgiu, a city located in the southern part of the country, and was renamed FC Astra Giurgiu. Despite the controversy, the move proved to be beneficial for the club. It started to perform better in the Liga I, the top tier of the Romanian football league system, and in 2013, it qualified for the UEFA Europa League for the first time in its history.

The 2015-2016 season marked a significant milestone for FC Astra Giurgiu as it won the Liga I title for the first time, marking the peak of its success. This victory secured the club's place in the 2016-2017 UEFA Champions League, where it competed in the qualifiers.

FC Astra Giurgiu's home matches are held at the Marin Anastasovici Stadium, which has a seating capacity of approximately 8,500. The club's colors are black and white, and its emblem features a star, which is a nod to its name 'Astra', meaning 'star' in Latin.

Over the years, FC Astra Giurgiu has produced several notable players who have gone on to represent the Romanian national team. These include Constantin Budescu, Valerică Găman, and Silviu Lung Jr. The club has also been home to many foreign players, reflecting its international appeal.

Despite its ups and downs, FC Astra Giurgiu has remained a significant presence in Romanian football. Its achievements, particularly its Liga I title win, have etched its name in the annals of the sport in the country. As the club continues its journey, it aims to build on its past successes and make a mark on both the national and international stages.