Mihai Popa

Early career and Farul Constanța

Popa started practising youth football with his hometown club Farul Constanța at age seven, and two years later moved to the nearby Gheorghe Hagi Academy. He returned to his former side in 2018, going on to make his senior debut in a 1–0 Liga II win over Viitorul Târgu Jiu on 30 September.

Astra Giurgiu

Popa joined Liga I team Astra Giurgiu in the summer of 2019, but did not feature in any matches during his first year in the top flight. On 14 February 2020, he was loaned out to Liga II side Rapid București for the remainder of the season. On 11 July 2020, in a league derby against Petrolul Ploiești, Popa was given two yellow cards and sent off for stepping out of the goal-line twice during a penalty kick; Petrolul missed the subsequent third shot and the game finished goalless. On 14 November 2020, upon his return to Giurgiu, Popa registered his Liga I debut by starting in a 1–1 draw at Dinamo București. On 22 May 2022, he played the full match as Astra lost 2–3 after extra time to Universitatea Craiova in the Cupa României final. He appeared in 15 games all competitions comprised during the 2020–21 campaign, which ended in relegation for "the Black Devils".

Voluntari

On 11 August 2021, Popa was transferred to Voluntari for an undisclosed fee, with Astra Giurgiu reportedly retaining 50% participation rights in a co-ownership deal. On 19 May 2022, he was again runner-up in his second successive Cupa României final…

In June 2021, Popa was part of the Romania squad for the postponed 2020 Summer Olympics. Two years later, he was selected by Romania under-21 for the 2023 UEFA European Championship.

As of match played 22 August 2026

Popa's paternal grandfather, Gheorghe, was also a professional footballer. He also played as a goalkeeper for Farul Constanța between 1969 and 1977.