Montreal makes impact in signing ex-Chelsea star Drogba
The latest big name to join Major League Soccer will land north of the border after Montreal Impact officially acquired former Chelsea star and Ivory Coast international striker Didier Drogba on Monday.
“From the first conversation I had with him, I felt that he really wanted to play in Montreal,” Impact president Joey Saputo said in a statement after the signing was confirmed Monday afternoon.
Chicago Fire, who acquired the MLS rights to Drogba weeks ago after putting the 37-year-old on their “discovery” list, traded the striker in return for a “significant amount” of allocation money, coach Frank Yallop said in a statement.
Drogba, who started his career in France before moving to England to join the South London club, scored 164 goals, won four English Premier League titles and three league cups with Chelsea during two stints with the club. He is a two-time winner of the league’s Golden Boot award.
At the international level, Drogba is the all-time leading scorer for Ivory Coast’s national team — a side he captained through three World Cups — with 65 goals. He retired from international soccer last summer.
It is believed Drogba, who speaks French, was attracted to Montreal because of his familiarity with the language.
In the wake of the deal with the Ivory Coast international falling through, Chicago signed Brazilian striker Gilberto, a designated player with Toronto FC, off waivers, the club also confirmed Monday.
Details of the Drogba deal have not been released, as per MLS policy, but ESPN reported Sunday he was offered an18-month deal worth $3 million (U.S.).
Drogba is expected to arrive in Montreal later this week and will officially join the roster after receiving his international transfer certificate and a Canadian work permit. The Impact next faces TFC at BMO Field on Aug. 29.
Though past his prime, Drogba joins a growing list of proven stars that have transferred to North America to finish off their soccer careers. Just this year greats like Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard, Chelsea’s Frank Lampard and A.C. Milan’s Andrea Pirlo have crossed the pond for a fresh, if late, start.