Former Oțelul Galați captain Joao Lameira was transferred by Universitatea Craiova on September 2, according to Digi Sport. He will be Anzor Mekvabishvili's replacement in the team coached by Filipe Coelho.

Cristi Munteanu, president of Oțelul Galați, stated that Joao Lameira expressed his desire to leave, did not intend to extend his contract, and wanted a new challenge. Munteanu also said there was a confidentiality agreement and he could not disclose sums. He confirmed that the offer came from Craiova, who strongly wanted Joao Lameira. He added that there had been no contact from FCSB and no offer from them.

Universitatea Craiova will pay 500,000 euros for the transfer of Joao Lameira in three installments: a first of 250,000 euros, a second of 200,000 euros, and a final one of 50,000 euros. Joao Lameira has already signed a two-year contract with Universitatea Craiova that includes an option to extend for another season. He will earn a salary of 17,000 euros per month, according to Fanatik. Universitatea Craiova completed the transfer on Wednesday to allow him to be registered for the UEFA list for Conference League matches before the September 2 deadline.

The transfer of João Lameira to Universitatea Craiova for a reported €500,000 was disrupted after FCSB made a counter-offer for the Portuguese midfielder. An initial agreement would have resulted in Oțelul Galați retaining 15% of the player's rights. Following FCSB's intervention, the transfer situation for the 27-year-old, who is in his final contract year, is now open. Journalist Emanuel Roșu reported that the next few hours are decisive for determining the player's future. FCSB had also shown interest in Lameira in January. Lameira has been capped for Portugal at the U20 level, joined Oțelul Galați in July 2025, and has a current market value of €800k on Transfermarkt.