The dust has barely settled on the drama at Farul Constanța, and the axe is already falling again. Having narrowly escaped the drop to Liga II after a heart-stopping playoff against Chindia Târgoviște, the club is moving swiftly to reshape its identity. First came the departure of coach Flavius Stoican, and now the club has announced the exit of striker Gabi Iancu, a player whose name was once synonymous with hope at the Black Sea coast.

The End of an Era for a Local Hero

Gabi Iancu, a product of the FC Viitorul academy and a major investment by the legendary Gica Hagi, has left the club following the expiration of his contract. At 32 years old, the forward saw his opportunities dwindle significantly this season, featuring in just 12 matches and accumulating fewer than 400 minutes of playing time without finding the net.

The club confirmed the split in an official statement: "Attacker Gabriel Iancu is no longer a player of our team after his contract expired. At 32 years old, Gabriel Iancu returned to our formation in July 2024 and has played 35 matches for the white-and-blues in all competitions, scoring 2 goals and providing 1 assist. Thank you, Gabi, and good luck!"

Over his career at FC Viitorul and Farul Constanța, Iancu made 146 appearances, scoring 44 goals and winning the championship title in 2017. His peak came in the 2019/2020 season when he was the top scorer in Romania with 18 goals. Before his final stint, he played for clubs including FCSB, Karabukspor, and Akhmat Grozny, and earned four caps for the Romania national team under Mirel Rădoi.

A Relationship Marred by Harsh Words

The parting of ways follows a period of intense friction. Last year, Gica Hagi publicly criticized Iancu’s work rate, calling him a "player paid like a king who barely walks." These comments from May 2025 highlighted the growing disconnect between the former coach and the striker, setting the stage for this inevitable departure as Farul looks to rebuild.