Kolkata dangle $1m for Drogba
London, July 24: Former Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba was offered a whopping $1 million by Atletico de Kolkata’s co-owners to become the marquee player of the Indian Super League side though the high-profile player is yet to respond, according to a report here.
The 37-year-old, who called time on his second spell at Stamford Bridge at the end of last season, was offered a four-month deal by Atletico de Madrid to play in the second edition of the ISL later this year.
According to a report in the Evening Standard, Atletico proposed to pay Drogba $1 million plus an unspecified bonus in addition to his living costs and travel to India and undertake pre-season with the ISL champions next month before competing in the October 3 to December 20 league.
The newspaper said that Drogba’s camp is yet to make a decision on his future. The ISL clubs must confirm their marquee players by July 31.
“This is a real statement of intent from clubs in the Indian Super League, who are passionately trying to put India on the global football map,” Drogba’s UKbased agent Baljit Rihal was quoted as saying by the newspaper.
Since leaving Chelsea as a Premier League winner in May, Drogba has attracted the interest of several clubs including Major League Soccer sides Chicago Fire and the Montreal Impact.
— PTI