Kurt Zouma has gone from Premier League regular to playing off football's beaten track in the space of little over a year
05:00, 08 Sep 2025
Big characters in Stoke City's relegation season: Saido Berahino with Kurt Zouma and Maxim Choupo-Moting.
Kurt Zouma with Saido Berahino and Maxim Choupo-Moting at Stoke City in 2017/18.(Image: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
Kurt Zouma ended the 2023/24 season having been a Premier League regular for seven years, playing for Stoke City, Everton, Chelsea and West Ham United and still in his prime playing years.
But he spent the following year out on loan in Saudi Arabia, being relegated with Al-Orobah in front of an average crowd of 2,307. He was then released by West Ham and has now landed a new club in Romania.
The centre-back, now aged 30, has signed for Cluj and has a contract running for two years in Transylvania.
Cluj owner Nelu Varga said: "I am the happiest that I have made the transfer that I wanted the most. He is an incredible player and, moreover, a boy with an extraordinary character. Not only will he bring value to the team, but he will be an example in the changing room for his teammates.
"He played at an incredible level and still has a lot to offer. I am extremely happy. From now on we will be stronger and stronger."
Zouma's arrival has apparently been instigated by the club's new sporting director Mikael Silvestre, who used to play in defence for Arsenal and Manchester United.
ProSport, the Romania sport website, offers a different suggestion with the headline: "The historic salary that convinced Kurt Zouma - something like this has never been seen in the Super League."
Leading Romanian gent Giovanni Becali claimed that zouma would be taking home €1 million per season.
He told Fanatik: "I was surprised. I think he'll get a million. It could be. He also has bonuses from European Cup games."
Iamsport, meanwhile, point out that according to Transfermarkt Zouma is worth €10m, which is higher than the entire squads at nine teams in the championship.
Your memories of Zouma? Click HERE to join the debate
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