 Niculae was selected player of the season by Radio România Actualităţi, being rewarded with a Dacia SupeRNova, which he later gave to his father.On 7 July 2001, Niculae completed his move to Primeira Liga side Sporting Clube de Portugal signing a three-year contract, with the option of a further two seasons for a reported fee of $3,000,000, despite it is believed that the real transfer fee is estimated around $4,500,000.He was handed the number 7 shirt, previously worn by Ivaylo Yordanov.