Montreal impact acquire Didier Drogba in trade with Chicago Fire

The Montreal Impact announced  on Monday that the club has acquired Ivorian striker and Designated Player Didier Drogba, in a trade with the Chicago Fire, in return for general and targeted allocation money. He will officially join the roster upon receiving his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and his Canadian work permit. As per MLS policy, details of the deal have not been released. 

Drogba, 37, played 381 games with English giant Chelsea FC between 2004 and 2012, and during the 2014-15 season, ranking fourth all-time with 164 goals, adding 88 assists. The Ivorian player is also one of the best strikers in English Premier League history with 104 goals and 63 assists in 254 games, all played with the Blues. He helped  the London club win four Premier League titles (2004–05, 2005–06, 2009–10, 2014–15), four FA Cup titles (2006–07, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2011–12) and three League Cup titles (2004–05, 2006–07, 2014–15).

The Montreal president Joey Saputo told impactmontreal.com: “It’s an honour to welcome Didier Drogba to the Impact. From the first conversation I had with him, I felt that he really wanted to play in Montreal. This is one of the biggest days in club history and his arrival to the club will be beneficial in every aspect.”

“He’s had an impact on millions of people since the start of his career and he will continue to do so wearing the Impact colours,” added Vice-President, International Relations & Technical Development Nick De Santis. “A player of his magnitude can only help grow our club. He’s been a leader, a winner and a champion throughout his career.”

“We are very excited and thrilled to add to our roster a player with an exceptional career,” said Technical Director Adam Braz. “He’s demonstrated his qualities as a striker at the highest level in Europe. His instinct in front of the goal, his experience and his leadership are all attributes that will help the team on the field.”

He won the Premier League Golden Boot twice, following seasons of 20 goals in 2006-07 and 29 goals in 2009-10.

This marks the second time in two seasons that Chicago has missed out on a high-profile designated player. In 2014 the club went through a protracted attempt to sign U.S. international midfielder Jermaine Jones that ended with the Fire getting nothing and the player ending up with the New England Revolution via a league-mandated (and much derided) blind draw

The current MLS transfer window ends on Aug. 6, and Chicago manager Frank Yallop has mentioned on several occasions that he has other targets in mind.