Drogba returns to Chelsea

London, July 26 (IANS) Didier Drogba has signed a one-year contract with Chelsea, the club announced.

“It was an easy decision – I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to work with Jose again. Everyone knows the special relationship I have with this club and it has always felt like home to me,” Xinhua quoted Drogba as saying Friday.

“My desire to win is still the same and I look forward to the opportunity to help this team. I am excited for this next chapter of my career.”

The 36-year-old left Chelsea at the end of his previous contract in 2012, only weeks after he had stroked the ball from the penalty spot into the Bayern Munich net to win Chelsea their only European Champions League.

He scored 158 goals for the club in 341 appearances, placing him fourth in the club’s all-time highest-scorer list.

Manager Jose Mourinho said: “He’s coming because he’s one of the best strikers in Europe. I know his personality very well and I know if he comes back he’s not protected by history or what he’s done for this club previously. He is coming with the mentality to make more history.”

Drogba’s 34 goals in European competition remain a Chelsea record, as do his nine strikes in nine cup finals.

During his first eight years with the club, Drogba won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups as well as the Champions League triumph.

He has been named Chelsea’s Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year and has won the Premier League Golden Boot twice.

Since leaving Chelsea in 2012, he has played for Shanghai Shenhua and Galatasaray, making a return to Stamford Bridge last season.

He has continued his international career and appeared in all three of Cote d’Ivoire’s games at the World Cup, taking his caps total to 104 with 64 goals scored.