Next stop, China? Champions League hero Drogba reveals he WILL leave Chelsea this summer
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Didier Drogba has kicked his last ball for Chelsea after the Ivory Coast striker confirmed he will leave the club this summer.
The 34-year-old has spent eight years at Chelsea, scoring 157 goals in 341 appearances, and helped the Blues win 10 titles.
One of those titles was Saturday's Champions League victory over Bayern Munich, where Drogba scored a late equaliser in normal time and then netted the winning kick in the penalty shoot-out.
Walking away: Didier Drogba has confirmed he will leave Chelsea this summer after eight years at the club
Drogba is now odds-on with bookmakers to join former Stamford Bridge team-mate Nicolas Anelka at Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua.
Confirming his departure, Drogba told Chelsea's official website: 'I wanted to put an end to all the speculation and confirm that I am leaving Chelsea.
Heading out: Striker Didier Drogba could now head for China
'It has been a very difficult decision for me to make and I am very proud of what we have achieved but the time is right for a new challenge for me.
'As a team we have accomplished so much and have won every single trophy possible. Saturday was a very special moment for everyone at the club and for all the fans, and I am very proud to have played my part in bringing many trophies to this club, which has been my home for the last eight years.
Matchwinner: Drogba scored the penalty that won the Champions League
'I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at the club especially Roman and my team-mates, many of whom have become very close friends and will be my friends for life. I would also like to say a very special thank you to the Chelsea fans who have shown me so much love and support over the years.
'I wish the club all the best and continued success for the future - you will always be in my heart.'
Reunited? Drogba is set to join former team-mate Nicolas Anelka in China
Chief executive Ron Gourlay paid tribute to 'Chelsea legend' Drogba.
He said: 'Didier is certainly leaving on a high after Saturday night, but he feels the time is right for a new challenge.
'Of course Didier has contributed so much to all of Chelsea's recent successes.
'He has been a consummate professional during his entire time here and as one of the natural leaders in our squad he has been an inspiration to a lot of our younger players.'
Heading off: Drogba's header to equalise for Chelsea in Munich was his last goal for the club with the striker (below) revealing he will leave Stamford Bridge
Gourlay revealed the decision had already been reached that Drogba would not be staying at Stamford Bridge before the squad headed to Munich.
'We have known for some time that this outcome was likely, but Didier and the club only made a final decision on that in the last couple of days, because for obvious reasons neither Didier nor the club wanted to distract focus away from the Champions League final,' he said.
'The talks were amicable all the way through and we wish him all the best for the future. He is welcome back to Stamford Bridge at any time - either as a player or as a guest of ours.'
Chelsea are set for some major decisions how to take the side forwards next season.
The Blues have yet to resolve firm plans for who will take charge of the team, with interim manager Roberto Di Matteo having done his claims for the full-time job no harm by following up an FA Cup final win at Wembley with landing the biggest prize of all following a penalty shoot-out in Munich.
Chelsea will wait until Di Matteo's contract expires at the end of June before deciding on the Italian's future, which could yet be back in the dugout on a one-year deal should owner Roman Abramovich put his faith in the man West Brom axed in February 2011 for fear of relegation.
Elsewhere, Chelsea also need to placate striker Fernando Torres, who hit out at his treatment last season, as well as look to secure their main transfer targets, said to include Lille playmaker Eden Hazard and Sao Paulo's Lucas Moura.
There could also yet be a return to the club for former striker Andriy Shevchenko.
The 35-year-old is out to embark on a coaching career when he finally retires, which is likely to be after Ukraine host the European Championships this summer.
DIDIER DROGBA: THE MAN FOR THE FINAL OCCASION
Didier Drogba scored his ninth cup final goal for Chelsea in Saturday night's Champions League final triumph over Bayern Munich.
Here, Sportsmail details how the Ivory Coast striker shines on the biggest stages of all:
2005 CARLING CUP FINAL Liverpool 2 Chelsea 3 (aet)
Drogba put Chelsea ahead in extra-time as the Blues won their first trophy under Jose Mourinho.
2007 CARLING CUP FINAL Arsenal 1 Chelsea 2
Drogba scored both goals, including the winner six minutes from time, as Chelsea came from behind to beat Arsenal.
2007 FA CUP FINAL Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0
Drogba scored the winner with just four minutes of extra-time remaining after playing a one-two with Frank Lampard.
2008 CARLING CUP FINAL Chelsea 1 Tottenham 2
Drogba became the first player to score in three League Cup finals when he put Chelsea ahead with a free-kick.
2009 FA CUP FINAL Chelsea 2 Everton 1
Drogba's equaliser set Chelsea on the road to victory after Louis Saha had put Everton ahead with the quickest FA Cup final goal.
2010 FA CUP FINAL Chelsea 1 Portsmouth 0
Drogba's 59th-minute free-kick clinched Chelsea their first league and cup double.
2012 FA CUP FINAL Chelsea 2 Liverpool 1
Drogba became the first player to score in four FA Cup finals as Chelsea lifted the trophy for a fourth time in six years.
2012 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL Bayern Munich 1 Chelsea 1 (Chelsea win 4-3 on penalties)
Drogba's 88th-minute header took the final into extra-time and, fittingly, it was the Ivorian who struck the winning penalty in the shoot-out.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2148161/Didier-Drogba-leaves-Chelsea.html#ixzz1vbtGsZ4g
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