 Dică was seen as an upcoming talent and the local Divizia A club, FC Argeș Pitești, signed him in 2000.He made his debut for FC Argeș Pitești in a 2–1 win against Gaz Metan Mediaș.He was soon awarded the captain's armband after the transfers of Adrian Mutu to Dinamo București and Adrian Neaga to Steaua București.