Didier Drogba joins US third tier club as player, co-owner

Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has joined American club Phoenix Rising FC as a player and co-owner.

Phoenix Rising is a third tier club in the US football league known as United Soccer League.

The 39-year-old Ivorian has not played since leaving Major League Soccer’s Montreal Impact in November.

Drogba said: “This was the right offer because it was important for me to think about playing, because I enjoy it, but also to get to the next stage of my career.”

“It’s a good transition because I want to carry on playing but I’m almost 40 and it’s important for me to prepare for my later career.

“I don’t think there’s been another player and co-owner, but this shows you how things are changing, how the league is changing and how football is becoming attractive and I’m really happy to have chosen this.”

Phoenix have also signed ex-England winger Shaun Wright-Phillips and are ready to recruit more English Premier League stars.

The Chelsea legend says he has taken tips from Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.

He hopes to help guide the Arizona club into Major League Soccer by 2020.

“I have spoken many times with Roman Abramovich, not only on this occasion, and trust me it’s not easy to be an owner. He supports me,” he said.

“It’s not crazy. It just looks crazy! It’s different from what my friends, ex-team-mates are doing.

“I explained to him and the Chelsea board what I wanted to do. They found it interesting and they are happy for me. Being in America doesn’t mean that I’m putting Chelsea out of sight.

“The club is important to me and one day I will come back,” Drogba said.

Drogba revealed that he turned down offers from the England, Far East and South America to start a new adventure in what has already been a glittering career.

“I had offers from China, from England – in both the Premier League and even the Championship – but they were only as a player.

“But of course I had some offers to play, to carry on playing in the Premier League, in the Championship as well.

“The Middle East, China, Brazil… but there’s only one club for me in England, and that’s Chelsea,” Drogba added.