‘Dragon Drogba’ to play in Shanghai
Didier 'Dragon' Drogba... joins Shanghai Shenhua!
The mystery behind Drogba’s future got a Chinese answer as the Ivorian footballer is all set to play for Shanghai Shenhua on a two-year contract.
The Chinese football club officials have confirmed Didier Drogba’s signing today, making him China’s highest paid player. The centre-forward confirmed the news to play in the Chinese Super League team on his official website.
Although the official fees have not been announced by the club, Shanghai Shenhua had earlier said that they were ready to pay the Golden Boy as much as £9.5 million per year.
Drogba said, “I studied all the offers I’ve received in recent weeks and I feel that going to Shanghai Shenhua is the right direction for me now.” He added, “I’m looking forward to this new challenge, to discover a new culture and I am very enthusiastic about the development of the Chinese football league.”
The Dragon country is very excited to welcome the European star and the club are enthusiastic about his joining. A club spokesperson said, “You can see from the online response, the fans are crazy about him.”
The excitement also means a lot of business for the club, “There has never been a foreign player who has stirred up such a reaction in China. It means a lot to Chinese football and will be of immense help in spreading the CSL brand.”
Italian giants Juventus were strongly competing for the striker and were ready for £80,000 per week in addition to a £10 million signing bonus.
Related:
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Drogba to bid farewell to the Blues
Eden Hazard to be Chelsea player by next season
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Reporting daily on the big moves surrounding Premier League football clubs from the North including Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Newcastle and Everton. Frequent updates covering transfer gossip and team injury news in my daily column. For immediate updates add my to your Google+ Football Expert circle.
