Drogba joins Phoenix Rising as player and co-owner

Chelsea great Didier Drogba has joined United Soccer League (USL) team Phoenix Rising as a player and co-owner.

Drogba had been without a club since leaving MLS outfit Montreal Impact in November, after rejecting a move to Brazilian giants Corinthians in February.

However, the 39-year-old Ivorian striker has finally found a home in Phoenix, where he will also be part of their “MLS expansion franchise ownership group.”

Phoenix are in their fourth season in the USL, 12th in the Western Conference with one win after three games.

“I have taken my time in deciding what I wanted to do next and am really excited about the opportunity at Phoenix Rising FC,” said Drogba.

“After seeing firsthand the potential for expansion of the sport in North America and getting to know the ownership group in Phoenix, I am convinced that I can help them develop their organization on and off the pitch.

“I look forward to their continued success in the USL, and no city is better positioned than Phoenix for expansion into the MLS.”

Happy to announce I have signed with @PHXRIsingFC and will be part of the ownership group hoping to take Phoenix to the MLS #Drogba2PHX pic.twitter.com/h1eefmqgJL

— Didier Drogba (@didierdrogba) April 12, 2017

Drogba – a two-time African Footballer of the Year – scored 23 goals in 41 competitive appearances for the Impact, having won four Premier League titles and the Champions League among other trophies with Chelsea.

“We want our club and our city to be synonymous with international excellence, and Didier Drogba is a testament to Phoenix Rising FC’s commitment to that mission,” said Phoenix Rising club governor Berke Bakay.

“Soccer is an international language understood by sports fans all over the world, and we want to help inspire fluency among new fans everywhere we play throughout North America.”