MX23RW : Saturday, November 9 02:30:51| >> :120:15408:15408:

Chelsea legend Didier Drogba to retire at end of season

Phoenix Rising striker Didier Drogba intends to retire from football next year, bringing an end to his illustrious 20-year playing career.

Legendary Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has revealed that he intends to bring an end to his playing career at the end of the United Soccer League season.

The 39-year-old is currently playing for American club Phoenix Rising, for whom he has netted 10 goals in 14 appearances since arriving at the turn of the year.

Drogba's illustrious career, which has seen him win numerous individual and collective accolades since emerging from Le Mans' academy in 1998, now looks likely to be coming to an end exactly two decades on in 2018.

Speaking to RMC Sport, the ex-Ivory Coast international said: "Ah, do you want a scoop? I think next year will be my last season. At some point you have to stop. I need to have time for my other projects. It's good to play, but at 39, it holds me back a bit."

Drogba featured 381 times for Chelsea during his two spells at Stamford Bridge, winning four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three EFL Cups and one Champions League.

ID:311838: cacheID:311838:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1433:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Tottenham Hotspur full-back Serge Aurier in action during his side's Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund on September 13, 2017
Read Next:
Toure, Drogba urge Aurier to 'grow up'
>
Read more about Didier Drogba Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!