Radu Dragosin said it felt great to be back on the pitch. He played 45 minutes for the U21 team in a closed-door friendly against Leyton Orient, further advancing his recovery. This was his first return to the field since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in the first half of a league match against Elfsborg in last season's Europa League campaign on January 30.  

Raju Dragusin underwent surgery in February. This friendly match at the Hotspo training ground comes exactly nine months after his surgery. For Raju Dragusin, this is an excellent opportunity to get valuable playing time during the November international break.  

The 23-year-old defender is getting closer to returning to competitive play. Radu Draguzin recently returned to first-team training, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity and noting the importance of match time in his recovery.  

Radu Dragosin said: "Honestly, it feels great. It's wonderful to be back with the U21 national team and my teammates. They are excellent and have been helping me a lot. I really cherish this moment. Training and matches are different. You can put in a lot of practice in training, but when you're actually on an 11-on-11 pitch, everything is completely different. Training can't fully simulate a match."  

“Those details, the defensive sprints, facing adversity, and the various challenges I face as a guard are all very important. I feel great. This is my first training session in ten months. I've finally regained my form and hope to build on this and continue to work hard.”  

After recovering from his first serious injury and completing a long rehabilitation, Radu Dragosin revealed his reflections during the off-season and expressed his belief that this break will only make him stronger.  

He said, "I learned patience and never to take anything for granted. One day you might be at the top, and the next you might be injured. This experience has made me stronger and more resilient. I never gave up, and everything is quickly returning to normal."  

Raju Dragosin then expressed his gratitude to his teammates, especially thanking James Madison, who came to watch his game that afternoon. Madison is currently undergoing rehabilitation after suffering a torn ACL during the preseason tour. Raju Dragosin sincerely thanked Madison for his support throughout his recovery.  

He continued, “To be honest, everyone makes me happy. But especially Mads, who was by my side during my injury and brought me a lot of joy during those tough days. His presence meant a lot to me. We are like a family, and we will never let anyone down in difficult times. I am very grateful to be a part of this team.”