Minaur Baia Mare have completed the signing of centre-back Laley Fofana from ASA Tg. Mureș on a free transfer, with the move officially registered to start on 2026-02-04. The 25-year-old defender, valued at €50k at the time of the switch, returns to Minaur as a full-time player after previously featuring for the club during an earlier spell.
Fofana arrives from ASA Tg. Mureș, where he had been under contract until 2026-02-03. With no transfer fee involved, Minaur have secured a low-risk reinforcement for the heart of their defence, adding a player familiar with Romanian football and the club’s environment. The deal continues a recent pattern in his career of moves within Romania, with the centre-back now set for another chapter in Baia Mare colours.
Born on 15 Aug 2000, Fofana holds both French and Burkinabé nationality and is listed primarily as a defender in the centre-back role, preferring his right foot. Standing at 1.82 m, he has built his senior career entirely in European football, first in France and, in recent years, in Romania. His current market value of €50k reflects a steady climb from earlier assessments, including a previous peak at CFR Cluj, where he twice hit that same valuation.
Before joining ASA Tg. Mureș, Fofana represented a string of Romanian sides. He initially arrived in the country with CFR Cluj II, having been without a club after leaving Olympique d’Alès en Cévennes in France. A loan to CSU Alba Iulia followed, then a step up to CFR Cluj’s first team. From there he moved to Sănătatea Cluj, enjoyed a loan stint at Minaur Baia Mare, returned to Sănătatea Cluj, and then earned a transfer to ASA Tg. Mureș. His latest move back to Minaur continues a well-travelled route through the Romanian pyramid.
In terms of market value, Fofana’s trajectory shows fluctuations across his Romanian journey. He rose from €25k to €50k at CFR Cluj, dropped to a recorded zero valuation during his loan at Minaur Baia Mare, and then climbed again at ASA Tg. Mureș, regaining the €50k mark later in 2025. That pattern suggests a player whose worth is closely tied to consistent minutes and stability at club level.
Fofana’s career path underscores his status as a French- and Burkinabé-qualified player making his way abroad rather than in his home footballing structures. Having begun his senior career in France with Olympique d’Alès en Cévennes after time at Castelnau Le Crès FC U19, he has since established himself in Romania, including spells in Liga 2 with ASA Tg. Mureș and at clubs across the country’s lower divisions. This latest move confirms he will continue to compete in Romania instead of returning to the domestic leagues of France or moving closer to Burkina Faso.
While his international future remains open, his club situation is now clearly defined. With his new contract at Minaur running from 2026-02-04 to 2027-06-30, the centre-back has security and a platform on which to build the next phase of his career. If he consolidates his performances in Baia Mare, this confirmed transfer could become a key step in elevating both his reputation and his prospects for future moves, whether within Romania or back into more prominent European competitions.
