After two years in Italy, he returned to Romania on an initial loan at his hometown club Universitatea Craiova, becoming an undisputed starter and winning the Cupa României in the 2017–18 season.

[13] A few days earlier, press reported that Craiova had signed him on a permanent basis;[14][15] the deal was confirmed on 17 January 2018, with the Alb-albaștrii paying a previously agreed €730,000 and Pescara retaining 15% interest.

[23] By the first half of the regular season in late October, he shared the top scorer position with FCSB striker Harlem Gnohéré after netting nine goals.

[24] On 9 November, he was sent off in the 57th minute of a 1–1 draw with Sepsi OSK after being booked twice for diving; Mitriță also cursed referee Radu Petrescu, but was only given a one-match suspension.

[29][30] Mitriță registered his debut on 8 February, celebrating his birthday by opening the scoring in a 1–1 friendly draw with Swedish team AIK in Abu Dhabi.

[33] Mitriță became a regular goalscorer at New York City, and managed a hat-trick on 25 September in a 4–1 defeat of MLS Cup 2018 champions Atlanta United.

On 23 October, Mitriță played the full 90 minutes in a 2–1 loss to Toronto FC in the Conference semifinals, ending the year with 32 appearances and thirteen goals all competitions comprised.

[45] On 1 August 2024, Mitriță scored his first European goal for Craiova in a 3–2 home victory over Maribor in the Conference League second qualifying round (3–4 loss on aggregate).

[47] In March 2018, after reportedly impressing head coach Cosmin Contra,[48] Mitriță was called up by the Romania national team for the friendlies with Israel and Sweden later that month.

[50] Mitriță scored his first senior international goal on 12 October 2019, aiding to a 3–0 away win over the Faroe Islands after replacing Florinel Coman in the 69th minute.

On 11 October 2021, Mitriță scored a header in a 1–0 win over Armenia in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, representing Romania's first goal at the new Stadionul Steaua in Bucharest.

From September 2022 to June 2024, he was not included in Romania squads due to a reported conflict with head coach Edward Iordănescu and several teammates,[52][53] which ultimately led to him not being selected for Euro 2024.

[58] In October 2018, after two-time Romanian Footballer of the Year winner and Craiova legend Ilie Balaci passed away, Mitriță tattooed a piece of advice he was given by him on the back of his neck.