Hrithik Roshan co-owned Indian Super League team and the Rajesh Wadhawan Group FC Pune City hooked up their big-ticket name by signing Adrian Mutu the Chelsea former and Fiorentina star as its marquee player for the 2015 edition of the league. Mutu was a part of the Juventus team that won the Serie A twice in a row in 2004-05 and 2005-06.
FC Pune have also rooted to have signed Ivory Coast legend Didier Zokora. The 34- year old is the most crest player in the country's history who has 123 games under his belt for Ivory Coast.
Speaking at the introduction of Romanian striker Adrian Mutu, Mr. 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 team’s vision of being the best.”
The talismanic winger began his career with Romanian club Arges Pitesti and contined his playing in clubs like Inter Milan, Fiorentina, Chelsea and Juventus. His prolific form with Parma backed him a €22.5 million transfer to Chelsea. Mutu is Romania's joint top international goal-scorer after netting 35 times in 77 internationals, the same goal tally as the great Gheorghe Hagi.
Expressing his joy on joining FC Pune City, Adrian Mutu 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.”
In his career the 36-year old scored more than 160 goals 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 Petrolul Ploiești 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 the 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.”
On Zokora’s signing, Mr. Modwel said, “His career with the national side is the stuff of legends. Zokora helped Les Éléphants (Ivory Coast) to their first two World Cup finals appearances in 2006 and 2010. He has been a rock-solid defender for all the teams he played for and we hope he be as solid for our club too.”
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.
In the last few weeks the club 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.
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