Career
He played his first Liga I match against Apulum Alba Iulia, on 31 July 2004. After two months, he managed to score his first Liga I goal against FCM Bacău, in a 1–1 draw match played at Regie Stadium. After Sportul Studenţesc was relegated due to financial reasons at the end of 2005–2006 season, Costin Curelea remained at the team, alongside Viorel Ferfelea, Dacian Varga and Tiberiu Bălan.
Since then, he was often the team top-scorer.
In the 2006–2007 season, Curelea scored 14 goals for his team in 29 matches.