Galatasaray confirm Drogba deal

ISTANBUL (AFP) –

Ivory Coast national football team forward Didier Drogba trains in Rustenburg on January 24, 2013. Turkish top side Galatasaray announced Monday they have signed Drogba on an 18-month contract.

Turkish top side Galatasaray announced Monday they have signed Ivory Coast’s veteran striker Didier Drogba on an 18-month contract.

“An agreement has been reached with Didier Yves Drogba of Shanghai Shenhua football team, starting from the second half of 2012-2013 season for a 1.5 year period,” the club said on its website.

Drogba is to be paid 10 million euros ($13.5 million) for the 18-month period, the club announced, plus a bonus of 15,000 euros ($20,000) for each match played.

Drogba left Chelsea for China last year after helping the west London side to their first Champions League title.

Galatasaray, who are currently five points clear of Fenerbahce at the top of the Turkish league, have already made a major statement in the transfer window by landing Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder from Inter Milan earlier this month.

Drogba is currently on international duty at the African Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast.