Didier Drogba is relishing the chance to have another crack at the
Champions League after sealing a return to Europe with Galatasaray.
The former Chelsea striker has agreed to join the Turkish giants from Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua on an 18-month deal.
Scroll down to see video of pundits practising commentating over Drogba goals
Turkish delight: Galatasaray have confirmed the signing of Didier Drogba on an 18-month loan
Fit to wear the shirt: Drogba in a Gala kit
His representatives revealed on Twitter that the Ivory Coast centre
forward would join up with his new side following the Africa Cup of
Nations and Gala confirmed the deal on their official website.
Drogba memorably converted the winning penalty in the final shootout
against Bayern Munich to win the Champions League for Chelsea for the
first time last season. It turned out to be his last kick for the London
club.
Explaining the reasons behind his move to Turkey, Drogba said through
his representatives, Sports PR Company, on Twitter: 'The opportunity to
play for this great club was an offer that I could not turn down.
'I am looking forward to playing in the Champions League again, against the best clubs in Europe.'
An emotional reunion with Chelsea is not possible, though, after the holders crashed out of the competition in the group stage.
Drogba’s capture is the second marque signing within a week for Gala,
coming hot on the heels of the arrival last week of Holland midfielder
Wesley Sneijder from Inter Milan.
The move to Turkey brings to an end a six-month stint in China.
Up for the cup: Drogba struck the winning penalty in last year's Champions League final in Munich
The 34-year-old joined Shanghai last June, penning a two-and-a-half year
deal reportedly worth £200,000 a week, but was repeatedly linked with a
move back to Europe in recent months.
Last month Drogba returned to train with Chelsea during the Chinese
off-season in preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
FIFA rejected a special request from the striker for him to join a club
on loan outside the transfer window, amid speculation linking him with
Juventus, AC Milan and Liverpool, among others.
Despite his protests to the contrary, reports persisted that Drogba’s
move to China had not worked out, largely due to boardroom wrangling,
and he has now left the Far East to return to Europe.
Gala are five points clear at the top of the Super Lig standings and are
through to the last 16 of the Champions League, where they face
Schalke.
Turkish Super Lig table
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Galatasaray | 36 |
| 2 | Fenerbahce | 31 |
| 3 | Besiktas | 31 |
| 4 | Antalyaspor | 30 |
| 5 | Kasimpasa | 29 |
| 6 | Eskisehirspor | 28 |
| 7 | Bursaspor | 27 |
| 8 | Genclerbirligi | 27 |
| 9 | Karabukspor | 27 |
| 10 | Istanbul BB | 25 |
Other focus: Drogba is currently in South Africa with the Ivory Coast for the Cup of Nations
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