Galatasaray sign Drogba

RUSTENBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JANUARY 22, Didier Drogba of Ivory Coast during the 2013 Orange African Cup of Nations match between Ivory Coast and Togo from Royal Bafokeng Stadium on January 22, 2012 in Rustenburg, South Africa Photo by Lefty Shivambu / Gallo Images

RUSTENBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JANUARY 22, Didier Drogba of Ivory Coast during the 2013 Orange African Cup of Nations match between Ivory Coast and Togo from Royal Bafokeng Stadium on January 22, 2012 in Rustenburg, South Africa Photo by Lefty Shivambu / Gallo Images

Published Jan 29, 2013

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Istanbul - Istanbul club Galatasaray have agreed with Shanghai Shenhua to sign striker Didier Drogba, the club said in a statement to the Istanbul Stock Exchange on Monday.

The deal is for 1-1/2 years starting in the second half of the current season, Galatasaray Sportif, the Istanbul's club merchandising unit, said.

The deal includes transfer fees totalling six million euros and payments of 15 000 euros per match, plus signing fees of four million euros to the Ivory Coast captain and former Chelsea player.

The 34-year-old Drogba, who is on African Nations Cup duty with his country, moved to China after helping Chelsea win the Champions League last May.

Drogba applied for permission to leave on loan before the January transfer window but world soccer's ruling body Fifa refused the request.

The striker returned to Chelsea to train at his former club in a bid to stay sharp for the Nations Cup, fuelling media speculation of a return to Europe.

Drogba's transfer comes less than a week after Netherlands midfielder Wesley Sneijder joined Galatasaray from Inter Milan.

Galatasaray have been drawn to meet German club Schalke 04 in the last 16 of the Champions League next month. - Reuters

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