The Rajesh Wadhawan Group and Hrithik Roshan co-owned Indian Super League team FC Pune City clinched their big-ticket name by signing former Chelsea and Fiorentina star Adrian Mutu as its marquee player for the 2015 edition of the league. 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 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 countrya s history.
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36-year old Mutu 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 Petrolul PloieE ti and will be a part of the Pune outfit in the second edition of the Indian Super League that begins in October. 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 a 22.5 million transfer to Chelsea. Mutuis 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,
a 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.a
Zokora, meanwhile, expressed his happiness to sign up with FC Pune City saying,
a 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.a
Co-owner Hrithik Roshan was delighted to have the two stalwarts joining the ranks of his club and said
a 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,a
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.