Adrian Mutu Joins Cesena, Takes Wage Cut To Rekindle Career
Enigmatic striker Adrian Mutu has joined Cesena and parted ways with former club Fiorentina, the Tuscan club revealed on Thursday. The deal was a topsy-turvy affair, with Cesena claiming that they had dropped all interest in the player just 32 days prior. But a sudden U-turn on their part meant that Mutu will now play at the Stadio Dino Manuzzi next season, after a deal agreeable to all parties was reached.
Mutu joins Serie A outfit Cesena
A statement on Fiorentina’s official website read-
“ACF Fiorentina communicates to have sold Adrian Mutu to Cesena Calcio on a permanent basis. The club thanks Adrian for his work over the past few seasons and wish him all the very best for the future.”
Cesena ended a twenty year run in the bottom divisions when they were promoted to the Serie A in 2010. They narrowly avoided the drop last term, and are now looking to push on towards bigger things. Mutu is pleased to be a part of this ambitious project, and the club are very happy to have him as well.
Igor Campedelli, the president of the club (who just days ago had declared that there would be no move) expressed his happiness that Mutu had joined their ranks and said that he expected a lot from the striker. He said-
“I am very satisfied with the arrival of Mutu. We have been wanting him to wear this jersey for months, and we are very proud this happened.”
Mutu’s football career has been volatile in the extreme, with sine curve like form, multiple doping bans, controversial moves and the like hogging the headlines more than his talented play. He signed a two year contract (with the option of a third) to end his five year spell at Florence. He conveyed his excitement and satisfaction in joining Cesena on their official website-
”I am excited and cannot wait to throw myself headlong into this new adventure,”
”I thank the president (Igor) Campedelli thank for bringing me into the middle of this ambitious project at Cesena.”
In fact, Mutu was so eager to get out of the stagnant rut he had found himself in, that he was even prepared to take a wage cut. He stated that Cesena’s ambition and courage forced his hand, and he accepted an offer with a reduced salary.
”It is a club that has shown in recent years that they have clear ideas on how to achieve success and, above all, has the courage to carry them out,”
”For this reason I accepted the proposal which reduces my wages.”
Time will tell whether Mutu will finally put all the baggage behind him and rekindle his best form at Cesena, but at least he has another chance now.