It was shortly after the 2012 Champions League final that Didier Drogba confirmed he would be leaving Chelsea on a free transfer. The club did not attempt to stand in the Ivorian's way. Given the heroics the striker produced in Munich, he was allowed to depart on his own terms, after the biggest of highs.
"I wanted to put an end to all the speculation and confirm that I am leaving Chelsea. It has been a very difficult decision for me to make, but I am very proud of what we have achieved," the striker said.
"He feels the time is right for a new challenge," then chief executive, Ron Gourlay, added. "We have known for some time that this outcome was likely but Didier and the club only made a final decision on that in the last couple of days, because for obvious reasons neither Didier nor the club wanted to distract focus away from the Champions League final.
