Chelsea legend Didier Drogba to retire at end of the season with American side Phoenix Rising
Former Ivory Coast international, 40, has been plying trade in US since 2015 after second stint at Stamford Bridge
CHELSEA legend Didier Drogba has announced that he will retire at the end of the season.
The former Ivory Coast international, who now plays for US side Phoenix Rising, turned 40 on Sunday and has decided to bring the curtain down on his 20-year career.
"I started late at the top level. I really enjoy playing. I like my role of owner-player a lot.
"I'm surrounded by a lot of youngsters, and I like passing my know-how on to them. But this season is the last. I'm 40, it's time now."
Drogba was a late-bloomer in football terms, starting his career with Le Mans at the age of 20 in 1998 before moving to Guingamp four years later.
He moved to Marseille after a season where he came to the world's attention and then Jose Mourinho brought him to Chelsea and transformed him into one of the best front players on the planet.
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Drogba spent eight seasons at Stamford Bridge over two spells, winning four Premier League titles and netting the winning penalty in the 2012 Champions League final.
In between, he starred at Shanghai Shenhua and Galatasaray — and left for MLS side Montreal Impact in 2015 before joining Phoenix Rising two years later.