Islam Slimani decisive in his debut for CFR Cluj | OneFootball

In his first appearance for CFR Cluj, Islam Slimani delivers an assist

Islam Slimani decisive in his debut for CFR Cluj

Islam Slimani wasted no time making an impact in his new colors. Signed this summer by CFR Cluj, the Algerian international made his debut in the headline match of the 10th round of the Romanian SuperLiga against UTA Arad. Coming on in the 57th minute, the 37-year-old striker immediately made his presence felt up front, standing out with a decisive assist for Biliboc, who netted the equalizer at the hour mark. Thanks to his experience and vision, Slimani helped his team snatch a point (1-1) in a game where CFR Cluj spent much of the match chasing the scoreline.

Premier match avec Cluj 🇷🇴 et première passe décisive pour le meilleur buteur de l’histoire de notre sélection.

Islam Slimani 🇩🇿 pic.twitter.com/y4vQmfKto7

— Salim (@LimsaDZ93) September 21, 2025

Cristi Balaj, the club president, was quick to highlight the Algerian striker’s impact: “Slimani, you can tell he’s played at a very high level. Even if he’s not yet at 100% physically, as soon as he touches the ball or makes a run, you immediately notice his quality.” These words reflect the confidence placed in the former Sporting CP and Leicester player, who is expected to be a key figure in revitalizing a CFR Cluj side searching for stability.

With this successful debut, Slimani proves he still has what it takes to make a difference despite his age. His game sense and ability to create space should quickly make him a major asset for Cluj, especially in a league where his international experience could prove decisive. If he manages to regain full fitness, the all-time top scorer for Algeria’s national team could well write another memorable chapter of his career in Romania.