Report: Didier Drogba offered MLS contract; Chicago likely destination
The Fire are reportedly ready to give former Chelsea legend an 18-month, $3.75 million contract for his services.
By
Igor Mello
•
1 min read
Chelsea legend Didier Drogba may be ready to make the move to the United States, with the Chicago Fire being a likely destination. The Ivory Coast international has been offered a contract on Friday to play in Major League Soccer, hoping to receive an answer as early as this weekend, per ESPN.
According to the report, there are several MLS teams in the mix to land the striker, with Chicago making the strongest push among those teams. The Fire are reportedly ready to give Drogba an 18-month, $3.75 million contract for his services.
However, Chicago has three Designated Players on the roster. So, how would this move work? MLS is a little complicated compared to traditional leagues, so here's more from ESPN FC explaining how the Fire could land Drogba:
Chicago already has three Designated Players on its roster in Shaun Maloney, David Accam, and Kennedy Igboananike, so if it were to sign Drogba, it would need to use some of the new Targeted Allocation Money to buy down the salary of one of those players -- mostly likely Accam ($721,000 salary) or Igboananike ($902,000) -- in order to comply with MLS roster rules.
Drogba's contract with Chelsea expired at the end of the season, and he's free to sign with any club. He scored seven goals in 38 appearances (12 starts) last season. During his two stints with Chelsea, Drogba has racked up four Premier League titles, three league cups, four FA cups and one UEFA Champions League title. He has played for French, English, Turkish and Chinese clubs over his 17-year career. At this point, the 37-year-old has been linked to a Qatari club or the MLS.
