Adrian Popa

Adrian Popa is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as a winger. Known for his blistering pace and sharp crossing, he has spent the bulk of his career in Romanian football, with a notable stint in England at Reading. As of 2026, Popa is 37 years old and still active, turning out for Liga II club CSA Steaua București, where he also serves as sporting director.

Popa's game is built on direct running and creating chances for teammates. Over the years, he has been a reliable presence on the right flank, contributing goals and assists while helping his clubs push for domestic honours. His experience and consistency have made him a respected figure in the Romanian game, and he remains a familiar face to fans who follow the country's top tiers. [edit]

Adrian Popa was born on July 24, 1988, in Horezu, a small town in the Vâlcea County region of Romania. Growing up, he showed a natural aptitude for football, and his early years were spent honing his skills in local youth setups. He joined the academy of Steaua București, one of Romania's biggest clubs, where he progressed through the ranks and developed the technical and tactical qualities that would define his professional career.

Popa's first steps in senior football came with Steaua's reserve side, which competed in the lower divisions. He gradually earned a reputation as a quick, tricky winger, and his performances in the second tier caught the attention of the first-team staff. By the late 2000s, he had broken into the senior squad, though his early appearances were sporadic as he adapted to the demands of top-flight football. His breakthrough season came in 2011-12, when he became a regular starter and helped Steaua mount a strong challenge for the league title. [edit]

Adrian Popa's career took a significant step forward in 2012 when he was part of the Steaua București squad that competed in the UEFA Europa League. He expressed his ambition to help the club progress further in the competition, and his performances in European matches raised his profile. Over the next few seasons, he became a key figure in Steaua's attack, contributing goals and assists as the club won the Romanian Liga I title in 2013 and 2014.

In January 2017, Popa made a move abroad, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract with Reading in the English Championship. The transfer, which was reported to be worth around £1 million, was seen as a step up in competition. He made his debut shortly after arriving, but struggled to secure a regular starting spot, and his time at the club was hampered by injuries and stiff competition for places. After a loan spell back at Steaua in the 2019-20 season, he left Reading permanently in 2020.

Since returning to Romania, Popa has continued to play at a professional level, joining CSA Steaua București, the club's re-formed entity that competes in Liga II. As of December 2025, he was still an active player for the side, and he has also taken on the role of sporting director, helping to guide the club's football operations. [edit]

On the pitch, Adrian Popa is seen as a classic old-school winger: fast, direct, and always looking to take on his full-back. His playing style has earned him admiration from fans who appreciate attacking football. Off the pitch, he keeps a low profile, rarely making headlines for personal matters. His Instagram account, which has around 18,000 followers, offers a glimpse into his training routines and matchday preparations, but he avoids controversy and maintains a professional demeanour in the media. [edit]

Adrian Popa stands as the 46th most famous person from Romania, a standing confirmed in the iFANN Global Fame Rankings for August 2026. This placement holds steady from the previous cycle, reflecting his enduring presence within Romanian football culture and his brief but notable chapter in English league play. His reputation is built on decades of consistent performance rather than fleeting viral moments, securing him a specific spot among the nation's most recognized athletes. While he operates with a low profile off the pitch, his professional achievements have garnered enough global attention to place him firmly within the iFANN tracking of public figures. Despite his active career and dual role at CSA Steaua București, there is no formal name assigned to his fanbase. Supporters are primarily standard club followers from Reading FC or Steaua București who rally behind the team rather than organizing around the player himself. No dedicated campaigns, ritualistic gatherings, or fan-funded projects exist specifically for Popa. The audience that follows his career treats him as a respected veteran winger rather than a pop-culture icon, meaning his legacy remains grounded in sporting results rather than organized fandom mythology.[edit]

Teammates and fans alike call him "Adi," a familiar diminutive common throughout Romania. Although he plays on the right wing, Popa is naturally right-footed and prefers cutting inside onto his stronger foot to create chances. He has represented Romania at the international level, earning caps for the national team. His Instagram handle, @77.adrian, mirrors the squad number he has worn at various clubs. A memorable strike against Dinamo București during a derby match was voted one of the club's best goals of the season. While some stories circulate about his speed and crossing ability, these are simply reflections of his playing style rather than legendary folklore. There are no accounts of crowds shutting down streets or viral incidents defining his public image. His career path includes a significant loan spell at Steaua Bucharest in August 2019 before returning to the club permanently. These factual milestones mark his journey without the addition of mythological elements often found in higher-profile celebrity biographies.[edit]

Details about Adrian Popa's family are largely private. He has not publicly shared information about his parents or siblings, preferring to keep his personal life out of the spotlight. As of 2026, there is no public record of him being married or having children, and he has not spoken about his family in interviews. What is known is that he maintains a close connection to his hometown of Horezu, where he returns during the off-season. [edit]

Adrian Popa has been associated with several football clubs and teammates throughout his career. At Steaua București, he played alongside the likes of Nicolae Stanciu and Florin Tănase, both of whom went on to have successful careers. During his time at Reading, he was part of a squad that included players like Yann Kermorgant and Liam Moore. His move to England was facilitated by then-manager Jaap Stam, who was impressed by his performances in Romanian football. [edit]

Adrian Popa has kept his personal life out of the public eye, and there is no confirmed information about his dating history or current relationship status. He has not been linked to any high-profile partners in the media, and he rarely discusses his private life in interviews. As of 2026, he appears to be single, but this is based on the absence of any public information rather than confirmation from Popa himself. [edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Adrian Popa's net worth in 2026 is estimated at $2 Million. This figure reflects his accumulated earnings from professional contracts, including a three-and-a-half-year deal with Reading reported to total around £1 million in wages. During his tenure at Steaua București, he commanded one of the higher salaries available to players at the club. Since returning to Romania, Popa has balanced his duties as a player with those of a sporting director at CSA Steaua București, a dual role that likely contributes a modest increase to his income stream. His financial standing has remained stable over the years, as he has not engaged in major endorsement deals or external business ventures. While he has made select investments in property, specific details regarding these assets remain scarce. The stability of his wealth stems from his long-term employment in professional football rather than speculative enterprises.[edit]