In July 2009, Niculae was close to a move to Terek Grozny, but the transfer collapsed since the Russians refused to pay the VAT. On 23 August, he scored the only goal from a 1–0 win against CFR Cluj Four days later, Niculae scored twice in a 3–0 away win against Slovan Liberec, helping his team to overcome a three goals deficit. After Niculae scored the third goal, the match went into extra-time and then penalties, in which he scored the first penalty. Dinamo qualified into the Group stages, following a 9–8 win at the penalty shootout. On 14 September, following a 0–1 defeat against Oţelul Galaţi, Gabriel Tamaş was removed as the captain of Dinamo, and replaced by Niculae. He suffered an injury, but since he was misdiagnosed by doctor Liviu Bătineanu, Niculae was sidelined for nearly three months. He made his come-back on 23 November, coming in as a substitute and missing a penalty in a 0–2 defeat against FC Timişoara. Five days later, he scored the 2–0 goal against Unirea Alba Iulia, closing the scoreboard. On 3 December, Niculae scored the two goals that brought Dinamo the victory against Sturm Graz in a 2–1 home win. On 21 February 2010, Niculae scored in the 17th minute the 2–0 goal against Universitatea Craiova, which proved to be the winning goal in their 2–1 win. On 6 May, Niculae scored in the 1–2 defeat against FC Timişoara, ending a ten-matches goalless strike. The match against Timişoara was his last of the season due to an injury. He ended sixth with his team in Liga I, netting four times in the championship, and eight overall.