On 15 July, Niculae was sent-off in Europa League's first leg of the second qualifying round against Olimpia Bălţi, receiving a two-matches ban. He scored his first goal of the season on 8 August in a 2–2 draw against Pandurii, netting Dinamo's second with a last-minute equalise. On 21 August, Niculae helped his team to demolish FCM Târgu Mureș, scoring Dinamo's fourth in a 6–2 win. On 17 October, Niculae scored from the penalty spot in the 35th minute of the Eternal derby, the winning goal in Dinamo's 2–1 win over Steaua Bucureşti. This was also Niculae's first league goal against Steaua. On 26 October, he scored his final goal from 2010, opening the scoreboard against ALRO Slatina in a 3–1 win in the Romanian Cup.