Didier Drogba has confirmed he will leave Montreal Impact at the end of the season. He’s played in his last home game against Toronto FC few days ago, he was cheered in the 71st minute of the game and given a special farewell tribute on the field after the match. In 18 months, the Ivorian has scored 22 goals and provided 4 assists in 32 games for the MLS club.
“My contract ends at the end of the season and I won’t be returning. I want to end things well, out of respect for everything the people here, the city, have given me. I was disappointed with the result, but we will do everything to qualify to the final. I don’t think the adventure will end in Toronto.” Drogba announced.
He continued, “I had one and a half years of good emotions. I think we made history. And when I came I here for the first time, last season we played against Columbus in the semifinal and this year we’re in the conference final, so it’s a good progress. I’m quite happy with the way things are going and I think I kind of reached the target, but there’s still more work to do. There’s still 90 minutes to play and a lot of things will happen in those 90 minutes. I hope we’re going to be happy by the end of it.”
Monreal Impact captain Patrice Bernier, also paid tribute to the Chelsea legend. “Didier brought so much on the field, off the field, with his leadership and experience and he brought a human factor as well. It was great to get to know him more. I was happy the club honored him after the game. But it’s not over yet — there’s still one or maybe two games to play.”
The Premier League great hasn’t revealed his next destination but there are indications he will be making a return to Stamford Bridge. Goodluck Drogba!
Didier Drogba makes U-turn, accepts substitute role
Weeks after refusing to play for Montreal Impact after learning he will not be starting from the bench, the Chelsea legend is now prepared to play a substitute role in the play-offs for his side. The Ivorian will participate in the second leg of the Eastern Conference semi-final against New York Red Bulls on Sunday.
Drogba says starting from the bench is not a big deal, “I’ve done that in my career, even in Chelsea, you know, in Champions League games. I started my career as a sub so I don’t know why it should be difficult for me to be on the bench.
“I think I’ve showed it, even against San Jose, so I don’t think it’s difficult for people to understand I can be on the bench and without making it a big drama. Anyway, I’m not the type of guy to justify what I’m doing or not.” The philanthropist stated.
Didier Drogba refuses to play for Montreal Impact
Didier Drogba refused to play for Montreal Impact after learning he will
be left out of the team’s starting XI against Toronto. The Chelsea legend wasn’t happy with the idea that he would
start from the bench and so opted not to turn up for the game which later ended
2-2.
be left out of the team’s starting XI against Toronto. The Chelsea legend wasn’t happy with the idea that he would
start from the bench and so opted not to turn up for the game which later ended
2-2.
Montreal initially thought his omission was due to a back injury but
later learnt he could actually feature in the game play but just didn’t show up…he
probably felt slighted.
later learnt he could actually feature in the game play but just didn’t show up…he
probably felt slighted.
‘I spoke with him on Saturday and he didn’t accept the fact that
he would come off the bench and, in the end, he didn’t want to be in the 18. He
decided not to play.’ There was tightness in his back, yes, but he was capable of
playing. The organisation will have to handle this .” coach Mauro
Biello said
Drogba completes move to Montreal Impact
MLS club, Montreal Impact have announced the signing of Ivorian, Didier Drogba on Monday.
The club bought the striker from Chicago Fire where he was initially signed.
Chicago initially obtained Drogba’s rights by filing a discovery claim on the player and pursued him for over a month. The Fire thought their offer would be enough to entice the former Chelsea forward to head to the Windy City, but Montreal soon entered the fray, and the prospect of playing in the French-speaking city proved more attractive to the former Ivory Coast captain.
When Drogba indicated his preference was to be in Montreal, the Fire traded his rights to the Impact in exchange for what one source with knowledge of the deal
described as a “substantial amount of targeted and regular allocation money” of at least $250,000.
Drogba scored 164 goals for Chelsea in two stints, first from 2004-2012, and again last season. He won the Premier League’s Golden Boot as top scorer in 2007 and 2010.