Drogba returns to Chelsea on short-term deal

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Chelsea have today (Friday) resigned Ivorian striker Didier Drogba on a one-year deal.

The former Galatasaray man, whose last kick of a ball for Chelsea won the club the 2012 UEFA Champions League final, has returned on a short-term basis to offer both Premier League know-how and goalscoring prowess up front.

An official correspondence from the club read:

On signing his contract, Drogba said: ‘It was an easy decision - I couldn't turn down the opportunity to work with Jose again. Everyone knows the special relationship I have with this club and it has always felt like home to me.

‘My desire to win is still the same and I look forward to the opportunity to help this team. I am excited for this next chapter of my career.’

Jose Mourinho said: ‘He’s coming because he’s one of the best strikers in Europe. I know his personality very well and I know if he comes back he’s not protected by history or what he’s done for this club previously. He is coming with the mentality to make more history.’

His 34 goals in European competition remains a Chelsea record, as do his nine strikes in nine cup finals.

During the Ivorian’s first eight years with the club, he won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups as well as the Champions League triumph. He has been named Chelsea's Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year and has won the Premier League Golden Boot twice.

Drogba enjoyed an emotional return to Stamford Bridge in March 2014 when his Galatasaray side were beaten by goals from Samuel Eto'o and Gary Cahill, with the feeling being that the Ivorian still had unfinished business with the London club.

The return of the Ivorian, who netted 157 times in 341 games for the club in his first spell, helps temper the sadness surrounding yesterday's departure of Frank Lampard to MLS outfit New York FC.