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ISL 2: FC Pune City sign ex-Chelsea and Fiorentina winger Adrian Mutu

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DC Correspondent
31 July 2015 12:59 AM IST
The club also confirmed to have signed Ivory Coast legend Didier Zokora
ISL 2: FC Pune City sign ex-Chelsea and Fiorentina winger Adrian Mutu
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Adrian Mutu was a part of the Juventus side that won the Serie-A twice in a row in 2004-05 and 2005-06. (Photo: AP)

Pune: FC Pune City clinched their big-ticket name by signing former Chelsea and Fiorentina star Adrian Mutu of Romania as its marquee player for the 2015 edition of the Indian Super League here on Thursday.

The 36-year-old was a part of the Juventus side that won the Serie-A twice in a row in 2004-05 and 2005-06. The club also confirmed to have signed Ivory Coast legend Didier Zokora. The 34-year old, who has 123 games under his belt for Ivory Coast, is the most capped player in the country's history.

Expressing his joy on joining FC Pune City, Adrian said, "The commitment of the (FC Pune City) management for having me as a part of the club was one of the primary reasons for me to join. This certainly will be one of the biggest challenges of my career so far and I look forward to it.”

"The team has gathered some quality signings from India as well as abroad and excellent backroom staff will make us (FC Pune City) an exciting side," he added.

Speaking at the introduction of Adrian, Gaurav Modwel, CEO of FC Pune City said, "Adrian is FC Pune City's marquee player. His talent in front of the opponents' goal post is remarkable. His wealth of experience will be of great value to the team's vision of being the best."

The talismanic winger began his career with Romanian club Arges Pitesti and has played for clubs like Inter Milan, Fiorentina, Chelsea and Juventus. His prolific form with Parma brought him a Euro 22.5 million transfer to Chelsea.

The 36-year-old Adrian scored more than 160 goals in his career and was the Romanian Footballer of the Year for a record four times.

Mutu was also the Coppa Italia top scorer in the year 2009-10. He last played for his Romanian club FC Petrolul Ploie?ti and will be a part of the Pune outfit in the second edition of the Indian Super League that begins in October.

Head Coach, David Platt said, "Adrian has experience at the highest level and a professional motivation to succeed. I've admired him from afar for some years and am very excited at the prospect of us working together for the benefit of FC Pune City."

Zokora, meanwhile, expressed his happiness to sign up with FC Pune City saying, "I am excited to get this chance to play for FC Pune City in Indian Super League.”

"I have played in many countries before and every country has presented a new challenge. I am sure this journey to India will be exciting and memorable one for me. I hope I can help my team become champions," he asserted.

Co-owner Hrithik Roshan was delighted to have the two stalwarts joining the ranks of his club. "In Mutu and Zokora, we have players with world class experience. I am sure all the players will learn a lot from their presence in the squad, especially about how to manage such long careers in such an intense sport," said Hrithik.

The club in the last few weeks has also signed Costa Rican striker Yendrick Ruiz, left back Nicky Shorey and goalkeeper Steve Simonsen from England to strengthen their composition for the upcoming season.

( Source : PTI )
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