CSM Targu Jiu

Football tradition in Târgu Jiu

Football in Târgu Jiu has a long tradition, closely associated with Pandurii Târgu Jiu, the city's most prominent football club. Founded in 1962, Pandurii gradually rose through the Romanian football league system and became a regular presence in Liga I, the country's top division. The club's greatest domestic achievement came in the 2012–13 season, when it finished as runners-up, earning qualification for European competition. In the following campaign, Pandurii reached the group stage of the 2013–14 UEFA Europa League.

Pandurii later entered a prolonged period of financial and administrative instability, which contributed to its relegation from Liga I and subsequent decline through the lower divisions. The club eventually entered bankruptcy proceedings in 2022, bringing an end to the activity of the historic senior team. In the following years, football in Târgu Jiu continued through other projects, most notably ACS Viitorul Târgu Jiu and, later, CSM Târgu Jiu. The latter established a senior football team in 2024 and quickly became the city's main representative side. After competing in Liga IV Gorj, CSM Târgu Jiu won the county championship in the 2024–25 season and secured promotion to Liga III by defeating CSM Lugoj 1–0 on aggregate in the promotion play-off, following a 0–0 draw away and a 1–0 home victory. The promotion marked the return of a team from Târgu Jiu to the national divisions after the disappearance of Pandurii and established CSM as the city's leading senior football club.

CSM Târgu Jiu competed in Liga III in the 2025–26 season and retained its place in the third tier for the following campaign. By the summer of 2026, the club had consolidated its position as the main football representative of Târgu Jiu. In the 2026–27 Cupa României, CSM entered the national phase in the first round and defeated Vulturii Fărcășești before progressing through the competition to the third round.

The Founding of CSM Târgu Jiu

After the dissolution of Pandurii, the community and local authorities desired to have a football club. To do so, CSM Târgu Jiu was founded.

The new club was established with the goal of to promoting local sports and providing opportunities for young players to develop their talents and continue their careers at a competitive level. The football team of CSM Târgu Jiu has played in local competitions.

Early years and progress (2024-present)

In the 2024–25 season, one year after its founding, CSM Târgu Jiu competed in Liga IV – Gorj County, winning all of its league matches under coach Mario Găman and the county championship. The team won in the county phase of the Cupa României, defeating Minerul Motru on penalties to complete a domestic double. Promotion to Liga III was secured after a 1–0 home win against CSM Lugoj in the play-off second leg, with Bebeto Lupuleț scoring the decisive goal on 29 June 2025. This marked the club’s entry into professional football.