Galatasaray announces 1.5 year deal with ex-Chelsea star Drogba

ISTANBUL

The 34-year-old Drogba is currently with the Ivory Coast national team at the African Cup of Nations in South Africa. AP photo

Galatasaray has officially announced the completion of a 1.5-year deal with Ivorian striker Didier Drogba to the Istanbul Stock Exchange. 

The former Chelsea player has become the second blockbuster transfer of the year for the lions of Istanbul, following on the heels of Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder. The veteran forward had moved to the Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua, after having won the Champions League with the Blues in the 2011-2012 campaign.

Drogba will receive 2 million euros for the rest of the season, 4 million euros next year and 15,000 euros per match, Galatasaray announced. The club will also pay 4 million euros as a transfer fee. The contract foresees a potential one year extension, during which Drogba would receive 2.9 million euros.

Galatasaray, which is hoping to qualify for the Champions League quarter-finals, will meet Schalke 04 of Germany in next month’s round-of-16 game in Europe's top-level club competition. 

The 34-year-old Drogba is currently with the Ivory Coast national team at the African Cup of Nations in South Africa.