After only one season, he transferred to country giants FC Steaua Bucureşti where, safe for his first year, he was a nuclear midfield element as the capital team won - that season included - seven league titles and five domestic cups.
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On 25 March 2008, Stoica was decorated by Romanian president Traian Băsescu with the Ordinul "Meritul Sportiv" — ("The Sportive Merit" Order) class II, for his part in the winning of the 1986 European Cup.