The Romanian Superliga will lose one of the best foreign footballers who played in the domestic championship in recent seasons.
Dutchman Bart Meijers has informed Petrol chiefs that he will not extend his contract due in the summer as he plans to return home.
Meijers arrived at Petrolul in 2020, from Almere City, and promoted with the team in 2022, being the first man and second captain of the team. He played 115 matches for Ploiești, scored two goals and is one of the most appreciated players from the Ploiești public. Bart Meijers (27 years old) was born and raised in Breda and played for the Dutch Under national team.
Bart Meijers is leaving Petrolul and wants to raise his child in the Netherlands
The decision to leave Petrol has personal aspects behind it, Bart having a small child, born in Romania, whom he would like to raise in his native country, where he will be helped by his family.
Undoubtedly, however, his decision is also related to the unstable situation at Petrolul, which is struggling to stay in the first league, despite the financial problems it has.
Throughout the four years, Meijers almost always faced salary delays, a phenomenon common in Romania, but non-existent in Western championships.
Bart Meijers is the second baseman of the Petrol group who does not want a contract extension. Even the Brazilian Jair does not want to continue, being tempted by a transfer to Saudi Arabia, even if in the lower leagues.
Veterans Paul Papp and Seto Takayuki continue for the Oil
Among the important footballers in the squad, Petrolul managed to extend the commitments of Paul Papp and Seto Takayuki, veterans of the squad, and hope to do the same with Gicu Grozav, the team’s top scorer.
However, everything will depend on the outcome of the season finale, with Petrol needing a win in the match against Oțelul to save themselves mathematically from relegationbefore the last stage.
Petrol meets Oțelul on Sunday, from 3.30 p.m., on its own ground, and in the last stage it will play away at Poli Iasi. Ploiești are three points away from the first playoff spot and five points away of direct relegation.
