Share

Drogba signs for Chinese club

London - Chelsea and Ivory Coast idol Didier Drogba on Wednesday said he had signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua, where he will join former team-mate Nicolas Anelka.

The announcement ends months of speculation about the big-money move, in which the striker will become China's best paid player with wages of £200 000 a week, according to local reports.

"Today I can inform you that I have signed with Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua FC for a two-and-a-half year deal (until the end of 2014)," Drogba said on his website. "I will fly out to join up with the squad in July."

Shanghai Shenhua posted a picture of Drogba wearing the team shirt on its website, although a spokesperson declined to comment on the deal.

Drogba becomes the latest high-profile recruit to the ambitious Chinese Super League, whose champions Guangzhou Evergrande snared the services of Soccer World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi in May. Anelka joined Shenhua in January.

Drogba, who is leaving Chelsea after his match-winning role in the Champions League final, and as one of the English Premiership's most feared strikers, said he had received other offers but Shanghai "is the right move for me at this time".

"I am looking forward to a new challenge and to experiencing a new culture, and I am excited about the new developments in the Chinese Super League," he said.

"When Chelsea went to China last year, we had a great time and I met some amazing fans.

"I hope to help promote Chinese football around the world and further improve the links between China and Africa."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1802 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1765 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1067 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 449 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 184 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
4% - 247 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE