Cayne Madhlangove has completed a move to Romanian side Unirea Tășnad on a free transfer from his previous status as a free agent, signing a contract that begins on 2026-02-09 and runs until 2027-06-30. The 19-year-old right-back, who holds both United States and Zimbabwe nationality, joins the Romanian club after several months without a team, following his departure from Real Salt Lake Academy.
The deal sees Unirea Tășnad acquire Madhlangove without a transfer fee, with the move registered as a free transfer. No official market value has been listed for the defender, underlining the low-risk nature of the signing for the Romanian outfit. For Madhlangove, however, the switch represents a significant step: his first move into European football and the chance to establish himself in Romania after developing exclusively in the United States youth system.
Before becoming unattached, Madhlangove spent time in two prominent MLS academies. He came through the ranks at FC Dallas Academy, moving there into the Real Salt Lake Academy setup in 2022. After three years in that environment, he left Real Salt Lake Academy in 2025, entering a period without a club before being picked up by Unirea Tășnad. Those stints in elite American academies formed the backbone of his development as a defender capable of operating at right-back.
Madhlangove’s primary position is listed as defender, specifically right-back, a role in which Unirea Tășnad will look to use his athleticism and youth. His profile indicates he is still at the beginning of his senior career, with no senior match statistics, appearances, goals, or assists recorded in the available data. There are also no documented recent matches, scorelines, or performance details, reflecting the fact that he has yet to feature in first-team professional football.
The move also places him in a new footballing environment. Unirea Tășnad compete in Romania, with the league level not specified in the data, and this transfer takes Madhlangove away from the American development pathway for the first time. For a player with dual United States and Zimbabwe nationality, it introduces the possibility of enhancing his profile on another continent, even though there is currently no information linking him to any national-team setup.
Reaction from his previous environments is not documented in the data, and there is no record of media or supporter response either in the United States, Zimbabwe, or Romania. There are likewise no details on his role within Unirea Tășnad’s squad beyond his registered position and contract length.
Even without public fanfare or statistical backing, the move marks a clear turning point in Madhlangove’s trajectory. After a spell without a club, securing a contract in Romania gives the young right-back a defined platform and timeframe in which to translate his academy education into senior minutes. How he adapts to European football over the duration of this deal will likely determine the next stage of his career and whether Unirea Tășnad becomes a springboard to greater opportunities or simply the first line on his professional résumé.
