• ‘This certainly will be one of the biggest challenges of my career’ • David Platt says he is ‘very excited’ at prospect of working with Mutu

The former Chelsea forward Adrian Mutu has joined FC Pune City as their marquee player for the second season of the Indian Super League.

FC Pune City, managed by the former England captain and Nottingham Forest manager David Platt, have also signed the former Tottenham Hotspur and Ivory Coast midfielder Didier Zokora for the second season of the eight-team league beginning in October. “The commitment of the management for having me as a part of the club was one of the primary reasons for me to join,” Mutu said in a club statement.

The 36-year-old Romanian, who has played for a string of Italian clubs including Internazionale, Fiorentina and Juventus, was fired by Chelsea in 2004 following a positive test for cocaine.

“This certainly will be one of the biggest challenges of my career and I look forward to it,” he said. “The team has gathered some quality signings from India as well as abroad and excellent backroom staff will make us an exciting side.”

Platt said he was looking forward to working with the player. “Adrian has experience at the highest level and a professional motivation to succeed,” said the former midfielder. “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.”