TRANSFER - IVORY COAST - Didier Drogba - Chelsea re-sign club legend on free transfer

CHELSEA DIDIER DROGBA

After a brief spell at Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua, Drogba joined Galatasaray in January 2013 and scored five goals in 13 league games as the Turkish club won the title.

The following season, the striker netted 10 times in 32 games as Galatasaray reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League - where they lost to Chelsea - and finished as runners-up to Fenerbahce in the Turkish league.

The Ivory Coast international was voted Chelsea's greatest ever player in a poll of fans in 2012 and has spoken of his close ties to the Blues.

His 34 goals for Chelsea in European competition remain a club record, as do his nine strikes in nine cup finals.

Mourinho had previously said: "If you bring him back, it is not because he is Didier or scored the most important goal in the history of Chelsea, or because I read I need an assistant, no.

"We want to win matches and win titles, and Didier is one of the best strikers in Europe. 

He is still very adapted to the needs of the Premier League, and we are thinking about it in a non-emotional way."

Mourinho also intimated that Drogba, who made one start and two substitute appearances during the Ivory Coast's three games at the 2014 World Cup, would be a squad player.

He joins Fernando Torres, new signing Diego Costa, as well as Romelu Lukaku and Victor Moses, who both spent last season out on loan, as striking options at Stamford Bridge.

Drogba wrote on his Instagram account: "So CFC offered me the opportunity to create more history with these guys - how could I say no? Thanks to the club, and I can't wait to see the fans again"