Ivoirian international striker, Didier Drogba has just announced his transfer to Shanghaï Shenhua on his official website.
The information was first announced by the main investor at the Chinese club, who confirmed the arrival of the now ex-Chelsea striker in China on Monday.
After spending eight years at Chelsea with whom he won three English Champion’s titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups and two Community Shields, and to crown it all a Champions League title won at the expense of Bayern Munich this past May, Drogba announced his departure from the London club amidst their European celebrations.
Although he at first dismissed discussion about his future destination, it is now a done deal.
The former Marseille player will be bringing the Shanghaï Shenhua attack to life alongside his former Blues teammate, Nicolas Anelka, who will be starting his second season in China.
According to the Chinese press, the European champion who signed up for a period of two and a half years, will be earning a weekly salary of 248 000 Euros, a figure which is much higher than what he was earning in England.
By signing at Shanghaï Shenhua, Drogba will therefore be paid out 12,9 million Euros per year (he earned 8,1 million Euros annually at Chelsea); a veritable gold mine which the Elephants captain could not resist.
After France and England, where he played at the highest level with the constant pressure of tackling big challenges, Drogba will be going into exile in Asia to enjoy a golden retirement, a choice which he wanted to justify.
“I have had a long look at all the offers that I received during the last weeks and I feel that going to Shanghaï Shenhua is the right direction for me now. I am looking forward to meeting this new challenge, to discovering a new culture and I am very excited about the development of the Chinese football league,” he explained on his site.
Cote d’Ivoire’s Footballer of the Year, the Prix Sport-Ivoire 2012 laureate, envisages making his international retirement after the Afcon 2013 and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
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