LONDON: Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba
confirmed on Tuesday he will leave newly-crowned European champions
Chelsea when his contract expires at the end of June.
Drogba has been at the Premier League club since 2004, joining
from French side Marseille, and has scored 157 goals in 341
appearances helping the Blues win ten trophies.
The 34-year-old leaves the London club on a high after scoring a
late equaliser against Bayern Munich in the Champions League final
on Saturday and then converting the decisive penalty in a dramatic
shoot-out after extra-time.
“I wanted to put an end to the speculation and confirm that I am
leaving Chelsea,” he told Chelsea’s website.
“It has been a very difficult decision for me to make and I am
very proud of what we have achieved, but the time is right for a
new challenge for me.”
Drogba is the club’s fourth all-time highest scorer and his 34
goals in European competition is a Chelsea record by 10 goals.
During his eight seasons he won three Premier League titles,
four FA Cups, two League Cups, and the Champions League title.
“As a team we have accomplished so much and have won every
single trophy possible,” said Drogba, who won the Premier League
Golden Boot twice.
“Saturday was a very special moment for everyone at the club and
for all the fans, and I am very proud to have played my part in
bringing many trophies to this club, which has been my home for the
last eight years.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at the
club especially Roman (Abramovich) and my team-mates, many of whom
have become very close friends and will be my friends for life.
“I would also like to say a very special thank you to the
Chelsea fans who have shown me so much love and support over the
years.
“I wish the club all the best and continued success for the
future – you will always be in my heart.”
Chelsea Chief Executive Ron Gourlay added: “Didier is
undoubtedly a Chelsea legend and will always be part of the Chelsea
family. He is certainly leaving on a high after Saturday night but
he feels the time is right for a new challenge.
“Of course Didier has contributed so much to all of Chelsea’s
recent successes. He has been a consummate professional during his
entire time here and as one of the natural leaders in our squad he
has been an inspiration to a lot of our younger players.
“We have known for some time that this outcome was likely but
Didier and the club only made a final decision on that in the last
couple of days, because for obvious reasons neither Didier nor the
club wanted to distract focus away from the Champions League
Final.
“The talks were amicable all the way through and we wish him all
the best for the future.”
English media have linked the Ivorian target man – scorer of 55
goals in his 84 international appearances – with Chinese side
Shanghai Shenhua, where his former Chelsea team-mate Nicolas Anelka
is player-coach.
- AFP/ac
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i feel its a right move.
he should leave for 1st team football.
i dont understand what defoe is doing at spurs for so many years
sitting on the bench. its not like he cant score.
