Former Lincoln City striker Dan Nlundulu has completed a move to Romanian top-flight side Petrolul Ploiești, signing a two-year contract with the club.
The 27-year-old was available following his departure from St Mirren and has become Petrolul’s 11th signing of the summer. The Romanian side confirmed his arrival on Thursday, and reports in Romania suggest Petrolul have made a significant financial commitment to secure Nlundulu despite currently being in insolvency proceedings.
The former Imp is reportedly set to earn €12,500 (£10,600) per month during his first season, rising to €13,500 (£11,500) in the second year. His agreement is also said to include a signing payment, accommodation allowance, performance bonuses, a club car and flights between France and Romania.
The eye-watering numbers don’t stop there. A €1 million release clause has reportedly been inserted into the contract, with Nlundulu entitled to ten per cent of that sum should it be activated. The deal also includes a goal and assist bonus, while he will also get €300 (£255) for each point the club get.
Furthermore, it is reported he also requested a relocation bonus, money for rent, a car from the club, and plane tickets between France and Romania. Good work if you can get it!
Nlundulu has already made his first appearance for his new club, featuring during the second half of a friendly against ASA Târgu Mureș.
He also made an unusual promise before the beginning of the Romanian SuperLiga season. Asked what he would do if Petrolul qualified for the play-offs, Nlundulu pledged to jump out of a plane. Petrolul begin their league campaign at home to Dinamo București on July 19.
Dan Nlundulu Career
Nlundulu arrived at Sincil Bank on loan from Southampton in July 2021 after signing a new deal with the Premier League club.
He had a difficult task awaiting him following the departure of Brennan Johnson, who had been one of the standout performers during City’s run to the League One play-off final. Nlundulu was not a direct replacement, but the collapse of a move for Morgan Whittaker meant considerable hope was placed upon the young striker.
His debut came away at Bolton Wanderers in August, but an injury suffered during an EFL Trophy fixture against Manchester United Under-21s interrupted his early progress. Nlundulu returned and scored his only City goal against Wigan Athletic in October. However, he struggled to establish himself in Michael Appleton’s side, and Southampton recalled him in January 2022.
His Lincoln spell ended with one goal from 16 appearances across all competitions.
The forward subsequently had loan spells with Cheltenham Town and Bolton Wanderers before completing a permanent move to Bolton in 2023. He later joined Cambridge United on loan and spent last season with St Mirren.
Nlundulu scored five times in 33 appearances for the Scottish club and helped them win the League Cup, starting their 3-1 victory over Celtic in the final.
Lincoln City connections to Petrolul
If you think the club sounds familiar, that’s because it should: it’s where we signed Adrian Patulea from in 2008.
Patulea signed for City after turning up in search of a trial, even running around the training pitch with his girlfriend on his back in an attempt to impress Peter Jackson. He earned his chance after scoring a hat-trick against Lincoln United, although a deal was delayed because Petrolul still held his registration.
It was that registration that stopped him from signing for Burgess Hill, but League Two side City had a little more sway, and a deal was made. Patulea eventually signed and scored 11 league goals from 17 starts during his only season at Sincil Bank before leaving for Leyton Orient.
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