Matija Popović Signs for CSKA Moscow After Napoli Stint

19-year-old Matija Popović has signed for CSKA Moscow from Napoli. The Serbian midfielder agreed to a three-year contract at his new club. The move comes after his failed transfer to Partizan this summer. Napoli will retain 10% from any future transfer fees for the player.

WHAT HAPPENED?

CSKA Moscow acquired Popović’s services late in the summer transfer window. The 19-year-old midfielder joined Napoli in 2024 and has left Napoli after a return to Partizan Belgrade collapsed. He attracted scouts from Serie A and across Europe while piling up 11 goals and 4 assists from 26 outings in the 2024–25 Primavera 1 season. Prior to his debut for the Maradona club’s youth team, Popović played for Monza on loan in Serie A after leaving Serbia as part of the Napoli project. The German-born player, regularly capped for Serbia at the youth level, has developed into a technically skilled forward in Italy. It will be intriguing to see if Popović can get regular game time with CSKA and revitalize his career.

LOOKING AT THE TEAMS: CURRENT FORM

CSKA Moscow have started the 2025–26 Russian Premier League season on a positive note. With 14 points after seven games, they are fourth in the standings, just three points behind leaders Zenit Saint Petersburg and two ahead of fifth-place Dynamo Moscow. Napoli, Popović’s prior club, finished first in Serie A last season and are hoping to bounce back after winning the title. They are now fifth in the Serie A rankings, five points behind leaders Juventus and three behind Atalanta. Both clubs appear to be on their way to earning European spots this season.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR POPOVIĆ AND CSKA?

Popović will aim to get regular first-team football for CSKA Moscow as they prepare for a big match against rivals Lokomotiv Moscow on Saturday. Lokomotiv are just one spot and one point behind CSKA in the Russian Premier League standings and can leapfrog their opposition this weekend. Regular minutes would boost Popović’s transfer value and trigger Napoli’s sell-on clause, helping him prove his potential on a bigger stage.