Chelsea legend and Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba has officially joined the United Soccer League side Phoenix Rising as not only a player but a co-owner as well.
The 39-year-old will start a new career in the United Soccer League with Phoenix Rising as a striker and as one of the owners.
“To own a team and be a player at the same time is unusual but it’s going to be very exciting,” Drogba said regarding the unusual move. “It’s a good transition because I want to carry on playing but I’m almost 40 and it’s important for me to prepare for my later career.”
The only team in Arizona is aiming to become one of four planned expansion teams in MLS over the next three years, that’s why they are supporting their squad with experienced players like the Ivorian star and his former Chelsea teammate Shaun Wright-Phillips who already played three games with Pheonix Rising.
“I had offers from China, from England – in both the Premier League and even the Championship – but they were only as a player,” Drogba told The Premier League Show. “This was the right offer because it was important for me to think about playing, because I enjoy it, but also to get to the next stage of my career.”
“I’m still a player but it’s important to respect the decision of the manager,” added the two-times African Footballer of the Year. “When we’re on the pitch, he’s going to be the one who decides and when we go to board meetings, it’s a different thing.”
