Didier Drogba completes sensational Chelsea return

Didier Drogba has completed his dream return to Chelsea.

The Ivorian has signed a one-year deal at Stamford Bridge, having become a legend at the club after being signed by Jose Mourinho for £24million in 2004.

And Drogba revealed he couldn’t turn down the opportunity to work with the Portuguese boss again.

He 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.’

Mourinho allayed fears Drogba would sully his impeccable legacy at Chelsea, insisting that the Ivorian is still one of the best strikers in world football.

‘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,’ Mourinho said.

Drogba’s arrival gives Mourinho’s side more firepower up front. Despite marquee signing Diego Costa’s arrival, Fernando Torres and Romelu Lukaku have both been linked with moves away from the club.

Drogba’s last kick for Chelsea in his initial eight-year spell was the winning penalty to hand the west Londoners the Champions League trophy.

The striker had already equalised in extra-time against Bayern Munich at their Allianz Arena.

Mourinho has brought Drogba back into the fold at a time when two stalwarts have left the club in Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole.

Lampard has completed a move to new MLS side New York City while Cole has moved to Roma.

Fellow Blues legend Petr Cech has also been linked with a move away with Thibaut Courtois returning from loan at Atletico Madrid.

It means only John Terry remains from the spine of Mourinho’s original Chelsea side, which picked up back-to-back Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006.

Drogba signed for Galatasaray in January 2013 after a short spell at Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua after bowing out at the Blues.

He had an emotional return to Stamford Bridge with the Turkish side in last season’s Champions League last-16 before leaving the club this summer.

Now Drogba has sealed a move back to the club where he became one of the most feared strikers in world football.