Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba confirmed his switch to China's Shanghai Shenhua on Wednesday, a move which will reunite him with former Chelsea teammate Nicolas Anelka.
Drogba announced he would
leave Chelsea days after scoring the penalty which beat Bayern Munich
in last month's European Champions League final, and the 34-year-old has
signed a two-year deal to become the Chinese Super League's latest
high-profile star.
The two-time African
footballer of the year will reportedly be paid £200,000 ($315,000) a
week, which would make him China's highest-paid player.
"I have considered all
the offers I have received in the past few weeks, but feel that Shanghai
Shenhua FC is the right move for me at this time," said Drogba in a
statement released through his representatives.
"I am looking forward to a
new challenge, to experiencing a new culture, and I'm excited about the
new developments in the Chinese Super League.
"I hope to help promote Chinese football around the world and further improve the links between China and Africa."
Former France
international Anelka made the move from Stamford Bridge to Shanghai in
January and even had a brief spell as the team's coach following Jean
Tigana's exit in April.
Former Argentina coach
Sergio Batista is now in charge of the team, and he is looking forward
to working with former Marseille star Drogba.
"Drogba is a very good
soccer player, his outstanding skills and amazing experience will give
us motivation to improve our games," said Argentina's 1986 World Cup
winner.
"It is my honor to
invite him to join in our team. At last I have to say that the club
owner Zhu Jun did his utmost to bring Drogba to Shenhua."
Shanghai is currently
12th in the league, with only three wins all season. But Shenhua owner
Zhu is confident Drogba can have a positive impact on results as he
seeks his first title since taking over in 2007 -- and the club's first
since 2003.
Drogba scored 157 goals
for Chelsea in his eight seasons at the club, winning three English
Premier League titles, four FA Cups and two League Cups as well as the
London club's long-awaited first European crown.
"We have been wanting to sign Didier for a while, and are very happy that it has finally happened," said Zhu.
"He is an incredible
player, who has won so many trophies in his career, we feel that his
experience and ability will be a very valuable asset to our squad.
"Shanghai is one of the most influential cities in the world, and we are very excited to welcome Didier here."
Drogba and Anelka are two of a number of soccer stars to have joined China's premier football competition.
Italy's World
Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi is now in charge at Guangzhou
Evergrande, an ambitious club who in the last year have signed Argentine
Dario Conca and Paraguay's Lucas Barrios.
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