Editing Adrian Mutu (section)

==Club career==

===Early career===
Mutu began his professional career with [[FC Argeș Pitești|Argeș Pitești]] and [[FC Dinamo București|Dinamo București]].<ref>{{RomanianSoccer|1322/adrian-mutu}}</ref> He joined the latter in 1998 for the equivalent of €700,000 and won the [[Cupa României]].<ref name=inter>{{cite book |last1=Galasso |first1=Vito |title=L'Inter dalla A alla Z |date=15 October 2015 |publisher=Newton Compton Editori |isbn=978-88-541-8698-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aoK5CgAAQBAJ&dq=inter+perugia+gennaio+2000+mutu&pg=PT190 |access-date=19 November 2023 |language=it |archive-date=21 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221113656/https://books.google.com/books?id=aoK5CgAAQBAJ&dq=inter+perugia+gennaio+2000+mutu&pg=PT190 |url-status=live }}</ref> At the turn of the millennium, he signed for [[F.C. Internazionale Milano|Inter]].<ref name=inter/> The selling club reported the fee as $2.1 million while the buyers said it was $7.15 million, leading to an investigation by Romanian tax authorities in 2006.<ref>{{cite news |title=Romanian tax authorities probe Mutu's 1999 Inter move |url=https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/romanian-tax-authorities-probe-mutus-1999-inter-move.62417 |access-date=19 November 2023 |work=Times of Malta |date=21 February 2006 |archive-date=19 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119190254/https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/romanian-tax-authorities-probe-mutus-1999-inter-move.62417 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Mutu made his Inter debut in [[Serie A]] on 6 January 2000 in the final minutes of a 5–0 home win over [[AC Perugia Calcio|Perugia]]. He totalled 14 appearances and two goals in his first spell at the [[San Siro]], with both goals in the [[Coppa Italia]].<ref name=inter/>

===Verona===
In 2000, Mutu was sold by Inter to [[Hellas Verona FC|Verona]] in [[co-ownership (football)|co-ownership]] deal,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.inter.it/aas/news/reader?L=it&N=138 |title=MUTU-VERONA: FIRMA PER COMPROPRIETA' |date=9 July 2000 |access-date=6 November 2009 |publisher=FC Internazionale Milano |language=it |archive-date=13 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013020011/http://www.inter.it/aas/news/reader?L=it&N=138 |url-status=dead }}</ref> for 7,500 million [[Italian lira|lire]] (€3,873,427).<ref name=Inter2001bilancio>FC Internazionale Milano SpA Report and Accounts on 30 June 2001 {{in lang|it}}</ref> The [[Veneto]] side also signed [[Massimo Oddo]], [[Mauro Camoranesi]] (later a teammate at Juventus), and young rising star [[Alberto Gilardino]] (later a teammate at Fiorentina) that season. As Verona faced fellow strugglers [[AS Bari|Bari]] on matchday 18 in February 2001, Mutu came off the bench with Verona down a man and trailing 0–1 and scored two goals, inspiring Verona to a 3–2 victory.<ref>Parks 2003, 296</ref> The club narrowly avoided relegation through winning the relegation tie-breaker playoffs. In June 2001, Verona bought Mutu outright, for 5,100 million lire. (€2,633,930)<ref name=Inter2001bilancio/><ref>Hellas Verona FC SpA ''bilancio'' (financial report and accounts) on 30 June 2001, [http://www.registroimprese.it PDF purchased from Italian C.C.I.A.A.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911194442/https://www.registroimprese.it/ |date=11 September 2018 }} {{in lang|it}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hellasverona.it/news.php?id=122 |title=APERTE LE BUSTE: MUTU GIALLOBLU' |date=30 June 2001 |access-date=8 April 2010 |work=Hellas Verona FC |language=it |archive-date=31 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331064533/http://www.hellasverona.it/news.php?id=122 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Chelsea===
On 12 August 2003, [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] paid Parma €22.5m (around £15.8m) for Mutu's transfer as part of new owner [[Roman Abramovich]]'s spending spree, on a five-year contract.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/3145465.stm |title=Mutu completes Chelsea switch |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 August 2003 |access-date=5 November 2009 |archive-date=29 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629153617/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/3145465.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/news/kind=1/newsid=89980.html |title=Mutu makes it seven |date=12 August 2003 |access-date=5 November 2009 |publisher=UEFA |archive-date=6 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080406154509/http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/news/kind=1/newsid=89980.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=award>{{cite news |url=http://www.tas-cas.org/d2wfiles/document/3459/5048/0/Award%201644%20FINAL.pdf |title=CAS 2008/A/1644 Adrian Mutu v/ Chelsea Football Club Limited: ARBITRAL AWARD delivered by the COURT OF ARBITRATION FOR SPORT |date=31 July 2009 |access-date=6 November 2009 |publisher=Court of Arbitration for Sport |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721052709/http://www.tas-cas.org/d2wfiles/document/3459/5048/0/Award%201644%20FINAL.pdf |archive-date=21 July 2011}}</ref> He made his debut 11 days later, and scored the winning goal from distance in a 2–1 home victory against [[Leicester City]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Mutu strike downs Foxes |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3152265.stm |access-date=30 September 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 August 2003 |archive-date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309145416/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3152265.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> and with two in a 4–2 win at [[Stamford Bridge (stadium)|Stamford Bridge]] against [[Tottenham Hotspur]] on 13 September, he totalled four goals in his opening three games.<ref>{{cite news |last1=MacInnes |first1=Paul |title=Mutu the tank engine keeps master's train set steaming |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/sep/15/match.sport |access-date=30 September 2019 |work=The Guardian |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 September 2003 |archive-date=30 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930161918/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/sep/15/match.sport |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the [[2004–05 in English football|2004–05 season]], Mutu had a difficult relationship with the club's new manager [[José Mourinho]], with each accusing the other of lying about whether the player was injured for a [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 World Cup]] [[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 1|qualifying]] match against the [[Czech Republic national football team|Czech Republic]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/3718894.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |title=Mutu hits out at Mourinho |date=6 October 2004 |access-date=23 April 2010 |archive-date=24 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824175512/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/3718894.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> In September 2004, Mutu was banned from football for 7 months until May 2005 after testing positive for cocaine use.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2557/news/2010/04/19/1885439/fiorentinas-adrian-mutu-given-nine-month-ban-for-second |title=Fiorentina's Adrian Mutu given nine-month ban for second failed drugs test |publisher=Goal.com |date=19 April 2010 |access-date=15 December 2018 |archive-date=15 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215192423/https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2557/news/2010/04/19/1885439/fiorentinas-adrian-mutu-given-nine-month-ban-for-second |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Breach of contract issue====
Chelsea started to seek compensation from Mutu in early 2005.<ref name=award/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/4544557.stm |title=Mutu contests compensation ruling |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 May 2005 |access-date=6 November 2009 |archive-date=6 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090806162040/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/4544557.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> [[The Football Association]] Premier League Appeals Committee decided that the player had committed a breach of his contract without just cause<ref name=award/> which made Chelsea eligible to claim the compensation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/administration/status_transfer_sept2001_en_27.pdf |title=Regulations for the Status and Transfer of Players (2001 edition) |access-date=6 November 2009 |publisher=FIFA |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111052639/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/administration/status_transfer_sept2001_en_27.pdf |archive-date=11 November 2012}}</ref> Mutu started his first appeal to the [[Court of Arbitration for Sport]] (CAS) in April 2005 but the case was dismissed in December 2005.<ref name=award/> On 11 May 2006, Chelsea applied to [[FIFA]] for an award of compensation against Mutu. In particular, the club requested that the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) award compensation to the club following Mutu's breaching the employment contract without just cause.<ref name=award/> However, on 26 October, the DRC decided that it did not have jurisdiction to make a decision in the dispute and that the claim by the club was therefore not admissible.<ref name=award/> On 22 December, Chelsea lodged a new appeal before the CAS seeking the annulment of the DRC's decision. On 21 May 2007, a CAS panel allowed the club's appeal, set aside the DRC's decision, and referred the matter back to the DRC, "which does have jurisdiction to determine and impose the appropriate sporting sanction and/or order for compensation, if any, arising out of the dispute" between the Club and the Player,"<ref name=award/>

On 7 May 2008, the [[FIFA]] Dispute Resolution Chamber ordered Mutu to pay €17,173,990 in compensation to his former club, Chelsea FC, for breach of contract.<ref name="casverdict">{{cite news |url=http://www.tas-cas.org/d2wfiles/document/3433/5048/0/Press%20release%202009.07.31.pdf |title=The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismisses Adrian Mutu's appeal |publisher=Court of Arbitration for Sport |date=31 July 2009 |access-date=6 November 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203001713/http://www.tas-cas.org/d2wfiles/document/3433/5048/0/Press%26#32;release& |archive-date=3 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/federation/administration/news/newsid=850413.html |title=DRC reaches decision on Mutu |publisher=FIFA |date=15 August 2008 |access-date=6 November 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090511150103/http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/federation/administration/news/newsid%3D850413.html |archive-date=11 May 2009}}</ref> This included €16,500,000 for the unamortised portion of the transfer fee paid to [[Parma AC|Parma]], €307,340 for the unamortised portion of the sign-on fee (received by Mutu), and €366,650 for the unamortised portion of the fee to the Agent, but was not to take into account the determination of the damages for the amounts already paid by the club to the player (consideration for services rendered) or the remaining value of the employment contract (valued at €10,858,500). Mutu had to pay within 30 days after being informed of the decision in August 2008.<ref name=award/> Mutu lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport for the second time,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/7440416.stm |title=Mutu lodges appeal over damages |publisher=BBC Sport |date=5 September 2008 |access-date=6 November 2009 |archive-date=5 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090805090355/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/7440416.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> but on 31 July 2009, that court dismissed his appeal,<ref name="casverdict"/> and Mutu was ordered to pay Chelsea the amount plus interest of 5% [[Per annum|p.a.]] starting on 12 September 2008 until the effective date of payment; the matter was submitted to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee for its determination. In addition, Mutu had to pay the costs of arbitration for both parties, including [[Swiss franc|CHF]] 50,000 to Chelsea.<ref name=award/> The fine was the highest ever levied by FIFA.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/8178248.stm |title=Mutu loses appeal over huge fine |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 July 2009 |access-date=31 July 2009 |archive-date=28 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128123007/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/8178248.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Mutu could have been banned from football by FIFA if he did not pay the fine<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/administration/50/02/75/disco_2009_en.pdf |title=FIFA Disciplinary Code (2009 edition |date=20 December 2008 |access-date=6 November 2009 |publisher=FIFA |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090407050144/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/administration/50/02/75/disco_2009_en.pdf |archive-date=7 April 2009}}</ref> although some lawyers disputed this.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2009/08/29/1469084/adrian-mutu-unlikely-to-be-banned-italian-lawyer |title=Adrian Mutu Unlikely To Be Banned – Italian Lawyer |date=29 August 2009 |access-date=6 November 2009 |publisher=goal.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091002103653/http://goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2009/08/29/1469084/adrian-mutu-unlikely-to-be-banned-italian-lawyer |archive-date=2 October 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> Mutu started his third appeal, this time to the [[Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland]], in October 2009,{{citation needed|date=September 2020}} but on 14 June 2010 this appeal was also dismissed with Mutu again being ordered to pay Chelsea €17m in damages.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2010-06-14-1704562955_x.htm |work=USA Today |title=Mutu must pay Chelsea euro17M damages in cocaine case |date=14 June 2010 |access-date=23 August 2017 |archive-date=17 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617185858/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2010-06-14-1704562955_x.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bger.ch/mm_4a_458_2009_d.pdf |title=Urteil vom 10. Juni 2010 (4A_458/2009) Bundesgericht weist Beschwerde des Fussballspielers Adrian Mutu ab |date=14 June 2010 |access-date=14 June 2010 |publisher=Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100707050210/http://www.bger.ch/mm_4a_458_2009_d.pdf |archive-date=7 July 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2013, FIFA DRC decided in a new ruling that Livorno and Juventus were also jointly liable to pay compensation; both clubs immediately appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tas-cas.org/en/infogenerales.asp/4-3-7168-1092-4-1-1/5-0-1092-15-1-1/ |title=Juventus FC / Livorno Calcio / Chelsea / FIFA – compensation dispute |date=31 October 2013 |access-date=27 November 2013 |publisher=CAS |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202002521/http://www.tas-cas.org/en/infogenerales.asp/4-3-7168-1092-4-1-1/5-0-1092-15-1-1 |archive-date=2 December 2013}}</ref> On 21 January 2015 the Court of Arbitration for Sport annulled the FIFA DRC ruling; Mutu remained the sole party to pay the compensation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tas-cas.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Award_3365-3366__internet_.pdf |title=CAS 2013/A/3365 Juventus FC v. Chelsea FC; CAS 2013/A/3366 A.S. Livorno Calcio S.p.A. v. Chelsea FC |date=21 January 2015 |access-date=3 May 2015 |publisher=Court of Arbitration for Sport |language=it |archive-date=13 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513082123/http://www.tas-cas.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Award_3365-3366__internet_.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2018, the [[European Court of Human Rights]] rejected Mutu's appeal against the CAS's 2015 ruling.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45719451|title = Mutu appeal against damages rejected|work = BBC Sport|access-date = 21 August 2019|archive-date = 21 August 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190821211000/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45719451|url-status = live}}</ref>

===Juventus===
Mutu signed a five-year contract with the Italian club [[Juventus FC|Juventus]] on 12 January 2005, despite still being banned from football until 18 May. As Juventus had no available room to buy another non-EU player from abroad, the move also involved fellow Serie A club [[AS Livorno Calcio|Livorno]], who signed the player and contemporaneously sold him to Juventus.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/2005/gennaio/19/Spinelli_favore_cambio_giovani__ga_10_0501194414.shtml |publisher=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it |access-date=25 July 2009 |title=Spinelli: "Un favore In cambio 2 giovani" |date=19 January 2005 |archive-date=18 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018082049/http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/2005/gennaio/19/Spinelli_favore_cambio_giovani__ga_10_0501194414.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/2005/gennaio/29/Via_libera_Mutu_dall_Inghilterra_ga_10_0501291322.shtml |publisher=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it |access-date=25 July 2009 |title=Via libera a Mutu dall' Inghilterra |date=29 January 2005 |archive-date=18 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018082049/http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/2005/gennaio/29/Via_libera_Mutu_dall_Inghilterra_ga_10_0501291322.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Fiorentina===
[[File:Adrian Mutu Roberto Vicario.jpg|thumb|175px|left|Mutu with Fiorentina during their [[2007–08 Serie A|2007–08]] season.]]

On 8 July 2006, [[ACF Fiorentina|Fiorentina]] announced that they had signed Mutu for €8 million.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.juventus.com/site/filesite/finance/comunicatipricesensitive/10_lug_2006_eng_fio.pdf |title=Agreement with ACF Fiorentina S.p.A. |date=10 July 2006 |access-date=6 November 2009 |publisher=Juventus FC |archive-date=7 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207080345/http://www.juventus.com/site/filesite/finance/comunicatipricesensitive/10_lug_2006_eng_fio.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

In July 2008, [[AS Roma]] made a reported €18 to 20 million offer to sign him outright,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=831665.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080728194827/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=831665.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 July 2008 |title=Roma confirm Mutu offer |date=23 July 2008 |access-date=6 November 2009 |agency=Agence France-Presse}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.asroma.it/pdf/corporate/operazioni_di_mercato/2008-07-23_formulata_offerta_per_l%27acquisizione_dei_diritti_alle_prestazioni_sportive_del_calciatore_adrian_mutu.pdf |title=OFFERTA FORMULATA PER L'ACQUISIZIONE DEL DIRITTO ALLE PRESTAZIONI SPORTIVE DEL CALCIATORE ADRIAN MUTU |date=23 July 2008 |access-date=27 November 2013 |publisher=AS Roma |language=it |archive-date=9 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609024612/http://www.asroma.it/pdf/corporate/operazioni_di_mercato/2008-07-23_formulata_offerta_per_l%27acquisizione_dei_diritti_alle_prestazioni_sportive_del_calciatore_adrian_mutu.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> but Mutu hinted that he may remain in Florence<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=825552.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080717141704/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=825552.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 July 2008 |title=Mutu concentrates on Fiorentina future |date=15 July 2008 |access-date=6 November 2009 |agency=Agence France-Presse}}</ref> and eventually signed a new contract reported last to 2012.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/news/kind=1/newsid=738042.html |title=Mutu resolved to make music with Viola |date=12 August 2008 |access-date=6 November 2009 |publisher=UEFA |archive-date=21 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221113646/https://www.uefa.com/errors/notfound |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 29 January 2010, it was reported that Mutu failed a [[Use of performance-enhancing drugs in sport|doping]] test after a [[Coppa Italia]] match against [[SS Lazio|Lazio]] match nine days earlier, in which he scored twice in to help Fiorentina win 3–2. The [[Italian National Olympic Committee|INOC]] was requested to hand Mutu a one-year ban by the Italian anti-doping prosecutor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=764306 |title=Italian authorities demand one-year ban for Mutu |publisher=ESPN |date=31 March 2010 |access-date=31 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407000050/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=764306 |archive-date=7 April 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He eventually received a nine-month ban on 19 April, which was later reduced to six months and ended on 29 October. After the ban finished, Mutu was suspended by the club due to breach of contract ([[AWOL]]) on 7 January 2011.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://it.violachannel.tv/dettaglio-ultimora/items/comunicato-stampa.9779.html |title=COMUNICATO STAMPA |date=7 January 2011 |access-date=7 January 2011 |work=ACF Fiorentina |publisher=Viola Channel |language=it |archive-date=11 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110111021824/http://it.violachannel.tv/dettaglio-ultimora/items/comunicato-stampa.9779.html |url-status=live }}</ref> After such events, Mutu publicly apologised to the club and parted company with his agent Victor Becali;<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/fiorentina-president-della-valle-opens-door-mutu-return-1413921 |title=Fiorentina president Della Valle opens door to Mutu return |date=27 January 2011 |access-date=3 February 2011 |publisher=Tribalfootball.com |archive-date=6 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406232121/http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/fiorentina-president-della-valle-opens-door-mutu-return-1413921 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.romaniantimes.at/?id=12778 |title=Mutu splits from Romanian manager |date=25 January 2011 |access-date=3 February 2011 |newspaper=Romanian Times |archive-date=6 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706094818/http://www.romaniantimes.at/?id=12778 |url-status=live }}</ref> on 3 February 2011 Fiorentina announced the player was reinstated into the first team with immediate effect.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://it.violachannel.tv/dettaglio-ultimora/items/comunicato-stampa.10044.html |title=COMUNICATO STAMPA |date=3 February 2011 |access-date=3 February 2011 |work=ACF Fiorentina |publisher=Viola Channel |language=it |archive-date=7 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110207024541/http://it.violachannel.tv/dettaglio-ultimora/items/comunicato-stampa.10044.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Later career===
On 23 June 2011, it was officially announced that [[AC Cesena|Cesena]] had signed Mutu on a two-year contract.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cesenacalcio.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4998%3Aadrian-mutu-e-un-giocatore-del-cesena&catid=4%3Acomunicato-stampa&Itemid=121&lang=it |language=it |title=Adrian Mutu è un giocatore del Cesena|trans-title=Adrian Mutu Is a Cesena Player |work=AC Cesena |date=23 June 2011|access-date=23 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902225038/http://www.cesenacalcio.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4998%3Aadrian-mutu-e-un-giocatore-del-cesena&catid=4%3Acomunicato-stampa&Itemid=121&lang=it|archive-date=2 September 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 15 January, Mutu scored two goals versus Novara and took his tally to 101 goals in Serie A. After a couple of unconvincing games, on 11 April, Mutu scored a goal against [[Genoa CFC|Genoa]], to eventually earn a draw for [[AC Cesena|Cesena]].<ref>http://www.gsp.ro/international/stranieri/video-beretta-sint-multumit-de-mutu-a-facut-un-meci-mare-323656.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414110754/http://www.gsp.ro/international/stranieri/video-beretta-sint-multumit-de-mutu-a-facut-un-meci-mare-323656.html |date=14 April 2012 }} Baretta happy with Mutu</ref>

In the summer of 2012, after Cesena relegated from [[Serie A]], the two parties ended the contract by mutual consent.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cesenacalcio.it/index.php?mod=news&id=1001 |language=it |title=Rescissione consensuale tra Mutu e il Cesena Calcio |work=AC Cesena |date=22 August 2012 |access-date=23 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825004331/http://www.cesenacalcio.it/index.php?mod=news&id=1001 |archive-date=25 August 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

After his release from Cesena, Mutu signed a new contract with [[AC Ajaccio]] of the French [[Ligue 1]] on 28 August 2012. He said that he favoured the Italian culture on Corsica, dismissed claims that he was preparing for retirement, and stated that he would score more goals than [[Zlatan Ibrahimović]] of [[Paris Saint-Germain]]. Club president Alain Orsoni said that Mutu was the highest-profile player to come to [[Corsica]] since [[Johnny Rep]] joined [[SC Bastia]] in 1978.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ajaccio new boy Adrian Mutu throws down gauntlet to Ibrahimovic |url=http://sports.ndtv.com/football/news/195765-ajaccio-new-boy-adrian-mutu-throws-down-gauntlet-to-ibrahimovic |access-date=29 May 2014 |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=28 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610183935/http://sports.ndtv.com/football/news/195765-ajaccio-new-boy-adrian-mutu-throws-down-gauntlet-to-ibrahimovic |archive-date=10 June 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

After his previous season's goal haul was enough to keep Ajaccio in Ligue 1, Mutu's second season saw him play just 9 games and not score, before terminating his contract on 14 January 2014 alongside compatriot [[Ștefan Popescu]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Veteran Romania forward Adrian Mutu leaves Ajaccio |url=http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2573120-veteran-romania-forward-adrian-mutu-leaves-ajaccio.html |access-date=29 May 2014 |newspaper=mail.com |date=14 January 2014 |archive-date=30 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140530025806/http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2573120-veteran-romania-forward-adrian-mutu-leaves-ajaccio.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Later that day he was presented at [[FC Petrolul Ploiești|Petrolul Ploiești]] in front of 10,000 fans. He was signed by his former international teammate, [[Cosmin Contra]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Adrian Mutu, prezentat oficial la Petrolul Ploieşti – FOTO şi VIDEO [Adrian Mutu, official presentation at Petrolul Ploieşti – PHOTOS and VIDEOS] |url=http://www.puterea.ro/sport/adrian-mutu-prezentat-oficial-la-petrolul-ploiesti-foto-si-video-84682.html |access-date=29 May 2014 |newspaper=Puterea |date=14 January 2014 |language=ro |archive-date=30 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140530021701/http://www.puterea.ro/sport/adrian-mutu-prezentat-oficial-la-petrolul-ploiesti-foto-si-video-84682.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In the summer of 2014, Mutu scored both home and away against [[FC Viktoria Plzeň|Viktoria Plzeň]] in the [[2014–15 UEFA Europa League qualifying phase and play-off round|UEFA Europa League third qualifying round]], a double which Petrolul impressively won 5–2 on aggregate.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0253-0d7fdd3ec129-6ccf4396a084-1000--petrolul-and-hajduk-heroics-stun-europe/ |title=Petrolul and Hajduk heroics stun Europe |date=7 August 2014 |publisher=UEFA |access-date=8 August 2014 |archive-date=10 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810015904/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=2130520.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 26 September 2014, Petrolul announced that the club had ended the contract between the two parties.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.agerpres.ro/sport/2014/09/26/fotbal-petrolul-ploiesti-i-a-reziliat-contractul-lui-adrian-mutu-13-10-44 |title=Fotbal: Petrolul Ploiești i-a reziliat contractul lui Adrian Mutu |date=26 September 2014 |author=Mihai Dragomir |work=AGERPRES |access-date=26 September 2014 |archive-date=12 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712041631/http://www.agerpres.ro/sport/2014/09/26/fotbal-petrolul-ploiesti-i-a-reziliat-contractul-lui-adrian-mutu-13-10-44 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 30 July 2015, Mutu signed as the marquee player for [[Indian Super League]] club [[FC Pune City]].<ref name="AM">{{cite web |title=Welcome Adrian Mutu |url=https://www.facebook.com/FCPuneCity/photos/a.593248767451955.1073741828.559198987523600/757819324328231/?type=1  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/559198987523600/757819324328231 |archive-date=26 February 2022 |url-access=limited|publisher=FC Pune City |access-date=30 July 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In January 2016, Mutu returned to Romania with [[ASA 2013 Târgu Mureș]], having been assured by national manager [[Anghel Iordănescu]] that he could have a place in the [[UEFA Euro 2016]] squad if he played in a better league than India's.<ref>{{cite news |title=Soccer-Mutu returns home to press case for Romania recall |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/soccer-romania-mutu/soccer-mutu-returns-home-to-press-case-for-romania-recall-idUKL3N1523QK |access-date=30 September 2019 |publisher=Reuters |date=18 January 2016 |archive-date=30 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930162420/https://uk.reuters.com/article/soccer-romania-mutu/soccer-mutu-returns-home-to-press-case-for-romania-recall-idUKL3N1523QK |url-status=dead }}</ref>