He has been sent to me by God: Ex-Chelsea striker Mutu wants to adopt Chinese baby flushed down toilet



Former Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu has offered a new home to the baby saved from a sewage pipe in China.

The 34-year-old, a father of three who now plays for French side AC Ajaccio, says he was moved by the plight of the newborn boy, weighing just 5lbs, who was found wedged in the pipe that he and his wife Consuelo were willing to adopt the child.

Offer: Adrian Mutu (L) wants to adopt the child

Dramatic: Firefighters and doctors rescue the newborn baby boy

Safe: Baby 59 has left hospital with his maternal grandparents

TV footage of medics at Pujiang People's hospital helping to dismantle the 10cm diameter pipe piece by piece with pliers and saws was beamed worldwide.

State media said the baby had a low heart rate when he was admitted and had suffered cuts and bruising, but was now in stable condition.

The mother of Baby 59 – known only by the number of his hospital incubator – has since come forward, saying she kept her pregnancy secret after the father refused to stand by her and she could not afford an abortion.

Now Mutu, who signed for Chelsea for £15.8m in 2003, but was released the following year after failing a drugs test, told Romanian channel ProTV: 'I intend to adopt this baby.'

Shamed: Mutu left Chelsea after failing a drugs test

Moved: Mutu and his wife Consuelo

He said he had discussed the plan with his wife Consuelo, and they would go ahead, if a legal agreement could be reached. Romania is not currently on the list of 17 countries whose citizens can adopt from China.

Mutu said: 'I couldn't figure out how to carry on living, how to eat my breakfast when I saw this story on TV. He's a special child. When I saw the baby I said 'I must adopt him, he has been sent to me by God.'

'Just look at this poor little fellow. He made such a strong impression on me. I told my wife we have to help him, we have to do everything we can.

'I never thought I would adopt a baby, I had no plan concerning that, but I just know: I have to help this one.'



