Galatasaray bring Drogba back to Europe
Monday, January 28, 2013
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"Big clubs can only reach their goals by signing high-profile players," said Galatasaray AŞ president Ünal Aysal after Didier Drogba penned an 18-month contract with his side.
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Galatasaray AŞ have completed their second marquee signing in as many weeks after Didier Drogba agreed terms on a one-and-a-half-year contract, following the arrival of Dutch international Wesley Sneijder.
"Big clubs can only reach their goals by signing high-profile players," said club president Ünal Aysal. "Drogba spoke to Fatih Terim and told us that he was very happy to be joining a club of Galatasaray's stature."
The 34-year-old forward, who is currently on international duty with the Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations, boasts a wealth of UEFA Champions League experience having scored 39 goals in 77 appearances in the competition. He saved his most significant strike for last season's final, heading Chelsea FC level with FC Bayern München before converting the winning penalty in the shoot-out.
Drogba began his career in France, featuring for Le Mans UC 72, EA Guingamp and Olympique de Marseille before joining Chelsea in 2004, where he found the net 100 times in 226 Premier League games. His move to Turkey, meanwhile, brings to an end a sixth-month stay with Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua FC.
Galatasaray face FC Schalke 04 in the UEFA Champions League round of 16, with the first leg in Istanbul on 20 February and the return in Germany on 12 March.