Cătălin Cîrjan was born on 1 December 2002 in Romania and began his footballing journey in the youth ranks of lower-league side Viitorul Domnești. His talent attracted attention from one of England's biggest clubs, and in July 2019 he joined Arsenal's academy, making the move to London as a teenager.
His development at Arsenal was significantly disrupted by serious knee injuries that kept him sidelined for extended periods, including a notable 480-day gap without competitive action. Despite those setbacks, he signed a new contract with Arsenal in May 2022 and gradually worked his way back into contention, eventually training with the first-team squad. A one-year loan to Liga I club Rapid București in the summer of 2023 gave him his senior debut — a league draw with Sepsi OSK in July 2023 — though he featured mostly as a substitute during that spell.
Cîrjan's career took a clear upward turn when he signed a three-year deal with Dinamo București in June 2024 after leaving Arsenal. He scored on his debut against CFR Cluj and added another goal the following week against Petrolul Ploiești, earning him the Gazeta Sporturilor Romania Player of the Month award for July 2024. He also captains the club, underlining the trust placed in him.
A technically minded central midfielder with an eye for goal, Cîrjan also represents the Romania national team at senior level. Dinamo București see him as a central figure in their squad, handing him the number 10 jersey to reflect his creative responsibilities.