He started his senior career at Jiul Petroșani where he made his Divizia A debut on 25 August 1996 in a 1–0 victory against Dinamo București. In the following season Radu played for Olimpia Satu Mare in Divizia B, scoring 12 goals that helped the team finish the championship on the first place and gain promotion to Divizia A.
Radu started his senior career at Jiul Petroșani, making his debut in Divizia A on August 25, 1996, during a match against Dinamo București. The following season, he played for Olimpia Satu Mare in Divizia B, scoring 12 goals that helped the team achieve promotion to Divizia A.