Drogba joins MLS side Montreal Impact

Former Chelsea striker, Didier Drogba, has signed for Major League Soccer side Montreal Impact.

Montreal Impact acquired the rights to sign Drogba in a trade with Chicago Fire who had secured the striker’s rights were he to come to MLS. But the former Cote d’Ivoire captain made it clear he didn’t want to be in Chicago and preferred the French-speaking city of Montreal.

Montreal had to trade general and targeted allocation money to Chicago for the rights to sign Drogba.

The 37-year-old is believed to have signed an 18-month contract to play as a designated player – which means his wages will not be restricted by the MLS salary cap – for the Impact.

Montreal president Joey Saputo said the signing made it “one of the biggest days in club history”.

“It’s an honour to welcome Didier Drogba to the Impact,” he said.

“From the first conversation I had with him, I felt that he really wanted to play in Montreal. His arrival will be beneficial in every aspect.”

Drogba left Stamford Bridge this summer after playing 381 games and winning four Premier League titles across two spells with the London club.

He is the Ivory Coast’s all-time top scorer, with 65 goals in 105 international games.

Impact, MLS members since 2012, finished bottom of the table last season.

Drogba follows former Chelsea team-mate Frank Lampard in moving to the North American league, with the 37-year-old having joined New York City.