By David Owen
June 21 – Didier Drogba, the Ivorian striker who starred in Chelsea’s recent European Champions League victory, has confirmed his long-expected move to Shanghai Shenhua of China.
The move, which should see the 34-year-old link up with Nicolas Anelka, his former Chelsea teammate who moved to Shanghai this year, continues a trend which is seeing China emerge as a destination for big-name footballers approaching the end of their careers.
The United States and the Middle East have been the most popular such destinations in recent times.
Leading sports brands, including European football clubs, have been striving to exploit their popularity in the world’s most populous country to drive up Asian revenues since before the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
China is now widely seen as a likely host of the 2026 World Cup, in spite of the limited success of the Chinese national team, currently ranked 73rd in the world.
Explaining that he felt Shanghai was the right move for him at this time, Drogba (pictured above) said he was excited about new developments in the Chinese Super League.
He also hoped to help promote Chinese football around the world and further improve links between China and Africa.
Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1734864254labto1734864254ofdlr1734864254owedi1734864254sni@n1734864254ewo.d1734864254ivad1734864254
Related stories
May 2012: Emotional Didier Drogba to leave Chelsea for China’s Shenhua
