Drogba is China-bound after Champions League heroics

LONDON: Didier Drogba has almost certainly kicked his last ball for Chelsea, with the club expecting him to confirm his free transfer to chinese club Shanghai Shenhua.

It means Drogba’s last touch in a Chelsea shirt was to score the winning penalty in the shoot-out that defeated Bayern Munich.

He will link up with former teammate Nicolas Anelka in China in a contract worth around £250,000-aweek net.

His departure will be followed by fresh investment by Roman Abramovich.

Drogba dedicated Chelsea’s Champions League triumph to the players’ families – to say thanks for their support.

Drogba and his team-mates were shown emotional good luck messages from their loved ones on the eve of their victory over Bayern Munich.

And then the Ivory Coast striker – who scored the winning penalty in the Allianz Arena — admitted: “The club really surprised us with those messages. And the families, they’ve always been there.

“I want to dedicate this win to them, to all our families because they’ve supported us and always believed in us. That’s their victory.

“This is my happiest moment in football. Big time. No words to describe it.”

Drogba headed Chelsea’s 88thminute equaliser from Juan Mata’s corner – Blues’ only corner of the final compared to 20 for the Germans.

But he only scored the decisive penalty after persuading boss Roberto Di Matteo to change his order for the shootout.

Drogba was down to take the fifth spot-kick in the final in Moscow four years ago – but he was sent off four minutes from the end of extra-time.

John Terry took the fifth one instead but missed and Manchester United went on to lift the trophy.

Drogba, 34, added: “In the Ivory Coast national team I always take the first one because I am the captain and I have to show the way.

“Robbie had put me down as third this time but I said I wanted to be fifth.

“But I did not have a feeling it would be the decisive one. Honestly not.” — Agencies