The leading Romanian footballer of his generation, Adrian Mutu has an outstanding goalscoring record for his country and has also established himself as one of the most consistent foreign strikers in Italy. Technically adroit and two-footed, he is at his most potent playing off a traditional centre-forward.

• Sprang to prominence in autumn 1999 when he scored 18 goals in 18 league games for FC Dinamo Bucureşti, prompting transfer to FC Internazionale Milano and first cap for Romania.

• Limited opportunities at Inter but had positive input for Romania at UEFA EURO 2000, especially as stand-in for suspended legend Gheorghe Hagi against England (3-2).

• Had two seasons at Hellas Verona FC, the second ending in relegation despite playing alongside current strike partner Alberto Gilardino, before moving to Parma FC, where he proved a big hit alongside Brazilian forward Adriano, scoring 18 Serie A goals.

• Made €15.8m move to Chelsea FC in 2003 but career in England cut short by suspension following a positive drugs test; returned to Italy with Juventus before career revival at Fiorentina under his ex-Parma coach Cesare Prandelli. There he scored 16 goals in 2006/07, 17 in 2007/08, when he also helped Viola to UEFA Cup semi-finals, and 13 in 2008/09.

• Romania's only goalscorer at UEFA EURO 2008 – in a 1-1 draw with Italy (in which he also missed a penalty) − but drew a blank in his three appearances in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying.

Did you know?
Mutu scored in Romania's first international of the season five years in a row from 2003 to 2007.