Chelsea legend Didier Drogba to make shock return with Phoenix Rising and join Shaun Wright-Phillips at... (original) (raw)
DIDIER DROGBA is set to make a shock return to football - and reunite with former team-mate Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Reports in the US claim that the Chelsea legend will sign with the Phoenix Rising of the United Soccer League.
The 39-year-old Drogba has not played since his contract expired with Major League soccer side Montreal Impact in December.
Despite being linked with moves to China, Brazil and even a coaching job at Stamford Bridge, it was believed that the Blues legend had decided to hang up his boots.
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But Drogba is set for a return in Phoenix, who play in the second tier of American football - although there is currently no promotion/relegation in the US system.
The Rising, coached by former Ipswich Town defender Frank Yallop, play in front of just 6,000 at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Drogba had been linked with a return to Chelsea in a coaching roleCredit: EPA
Wright-Phillips, 35, who played three seasons in west London winning a Premier League title, FA Cup and League Cup, joined the Phoenix club in February.
The former England and Manchester City winger spent the last two seasons with the New York Red Bulls, but played only 24 matches and scored just a single goal.
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Former Premier League defenders Jordan Stewart (Leicester City and Watford) and Peter Ramage (Newcastle United, Queens Park Rangers and Crystal Palace) also play for the club.
Drogba is Chelsea's fourth top scorer of all-time, with 164 goals in 381 matches.
Shaun Wright-Phillips played just 24 matches in two years for New York Red BullsCredit: Getty Images
He won four Premier League titles in two spells at Stamford Bridge as well as the League Cup three times and the FA Cup four times.
Drogba was also the star man when Chelsea won the Champions League in 2012 - scoring the equaliser as well as the winning penalty as the Blues beat Bayern Munich.