We've been flooded with some of the greatest players of our generation calling time on their careers and announcing their retirement of late. Francesco Totti, Xabi Alonso, Philipp Lahm, Andrea Pirlo and Xavi to name a few.
And it won't be long before Didier Drogba joins the esteemed list. The Ivorian has confirmed that he will hang up his boots for good after the next season with Phoenix Rising, the club he is also part-owner of.
Drogba joined second-tier Phoenix in 2017, after leaving Montreal Impact following the conclusion of the 2016 MLS season.
Image: PA
He proved that he still had that natural killer instinct in front of goal by netting 10 goals in 14 appearances before Rising were knocked out of the play-offs by Swope Park Rangers.
Though he feels he's still got a bit more to offer in the game, the Chelsea legend acknowledges that the next campaign will be his last as a professional.
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Speaking to RMC Sport, as quoted by ESPN, the 39-year old said:
"I think next year will be my last season. There comes a time when you have to stop. I need time for my other projects. It's good to play, but at 39, it holds me back a bit."
Drogba has turned out for a total of eight clubs in a decorated career at the top, with his finest work coming in two spells with Chelsea. A club record £24 million signing from Marseille in 2004, he went on to score a total of 164 goals for the Blues - 157 coming in his first stint, before he notched seven in his return to Stamford Bridge in 2014.
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The ultimate big game player, Drogba won four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups and the Champions League with Chelsea. He scored nine goals in nine finals for the Stamford Bridge club.
Here's how Twitter reacted:
What a player.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Chelsea
