Bundesliga pedigree at FC Voluntari! Romanian club sign 1.92m Serbia international

FC Voluntari sign Sava-Arangel Čestić after spells in the Bundesliga and Eredivisie

FC Voluntari have continued their recruitment drive for the 2026-27 season by signing 25-year-old Serbian centre-back Sava-Arangel Čestić. The German-born defender has signed a two-year contract with the Romanian club.

Voluntari's latest signing arrives with considerable experience in several European leagues. Čestić has played in Germany, Croatia and the Netherlands, featuring in both the Bundesliga and the Eredivisie, while he has also earned two senior caps for Serbia.

Sava-Arangel Čestić signs two-year deal

FC Voluntari officially announced the defender's arrival on their Facebook page. The 25-year-old stands 1.92m tall and can operate both as a centre-back and as a defensive midfielder.

"We are delighted to announce that Sava-Arangel Čestić is the newest player to join FC Voluntari, with the centre-back signing a contract for the next two seasons. Born on 19 February 2001 in Offenbach am Main, Germany, Sava stands 1.92m tall and can play both as a centre-back and as a defensive midfielder. A Serbia international, he represented several of the country's youth national teams before progressing to the senior side," FC Voluntari announced.

Born in Offenbach am Main, Čestić holds both Serbian and German citizenship. His current market value is €150,000.

Bundesliga debut against Borussia Dortmund

Čestić began his football development in Germany with SG Rosenhöhe Offenbach. He later represented Kickers Offenbach and FSV Frankfurt before joining Schalke 04's academy.

In the summer of 2019, the Serbian defender moved to 1. FC Köln's academy. He quickly progressed to the first team and, on 28 November 2020, made his professional debut in the Bundesliga. His first appearance in the German top flight came away against Borussia Dortmund.

Čestić went on to make 11 Bundesliga appearances for 1. FC Köln's senior side. He also featured for the club's reserve team, making 28 appearances and scoring two goals.

Spells in Croatia and the Netherlands

Čestić left 1. FC Köln in January 2022 after his contract was terminated. Just a few days later, he continued his career in Croatia by signing for HNK Rijeka.

The Serbian defender made 14 league appearances for the Croatian club. His spell at Rijeka ended after around six months, before he continued his career in the Netherlands.

In December 2022, Čestić signed for Heracles Almelo. He went on to make 21 league appearances for the Dutch club, including matches in the Eredivisie.

Now 25, the 1.92m defender arrives in Romania with experience in three European countries, having also developed in the academies of several well-known German clubs.

Čestić has two senior caps for Serbia

Sava-Arangel Čestić has represented Serbia at various youth levels. He featured for the country's U17, U19 and U21 teams before progressing to the senior national side.

He made his senior international debut for Serbia on 7 June 2021 in a friendly against Jamaica. The defender has earned two caps for his country.

His international experience adds to the credentials of Voluntari's latest signing, while his ability to operate at centre-back or in defensive midfield gives the coaching staff additional versatility.

FC Voluntari continue to strengthen their squad

Čestić's arrival is part of an extensive recruitment drive by FC Voluntari ahead of and during the opening stages of the 2026-27 season.

The Romanian club have also signed Denis Haruț, most recently with Sepsi OSK, Croatian defender Matej Mamić from NK Radomlje and Slovenian goalkeeper Metod Jurhar from FC Koper.

Other additions include striker Mihai Roman, formerly of FC Argeș, Beninese left-back David Kiki from FCSB and defender Daniel Dumbravanu from CFR Cluj.

Voluntari have also strengthened their attacking options by bringing in Adi Chică-Roșă, most recently with Petrolul Ploiești, and Portuguese winger Nuno Rodrigues from Araz-Nahcivan.

With the signing of Čestić, FC Voluntari have added another internationally experienced player to their defence. The Serbian arrives with a CV that includes appearances in both the Bundesliga and the Eredivisie.