CHELSEA RESIGN DROGBA

Ivory coast striker Didier Drogba has re-signed for Chelsea on a one-year deal.

Drogba reunite with Mourinho at Chelsea

Chelsea Manager Jose Mourinho had earlier said the forward "belongs" at Stamford Bridge - but that any deal would be made "in a non-emotional way".

Drogba signs a one-year deal with Chelsea

Drogba told Chelsea's official site: It was an easy decision - I couldn't turn down the opportunity to work with Jose again."

He said: "Everyone knows the special relationship I have with this club and it has always felt like home to me.

"My desire to win is still the same and I look forward to the opportunity to help this team. I am excited for this next chapter of my career."

Mourinho said: "He's coming because he's one of the best strikers in Europe.

"I know his personality very well and I know if he comes back he's not protected by history or what he's done for this club previously. He is coming with the mentality to make more history."

Drogba, who joined Chelsea from Marseille for £24m in July 2004, won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups and a Champions League during his spell at Stamford Bridge.

He left the club in 2012 after scoring the winning penalty in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich.

After a brief spell at Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua, Drogba joined Galatasaray in January 2013 and scored five goals in 13 league games as the Turkish club won the title.

The following season, the striker netted 10 times in 32 games as Galatasaray reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League - where they lost to Chelsea - and finished as runners-up to Fenerbahce in the Turkish league.

The Ivory Coast international was voted Chelsea's greatest ever player in a poll of fans in 2012 and has spoken of his close ties to the Blues.

His 34 goals for Chelsea in European competition remains a club record, as do his nine strikes in nine cup finals.

The Didier Drogba banner at Stamford Bridge

Drogba was named Chelsea's greatest ever player in a poll of fans in 2012. Only Frank Lampard (211), Bobby Tambling (202) and Kerry Dixon (192) have scored more goals for the club.

He scored 157 goals in 341 games in his first spell, winning three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups as well as the Champions League triumph.

He was named Chelsea's Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year and has won the Premier League Golden Boot twice.

Drogba scored nine goals in nine cup finals for the Blues and his 34 goals in European competitions is a Chelsea record.

He played against Chelsea for Galatasaray in the Champions League last season, and was given a rousing reception by Blues supporters.

An Ivory Coast great, he played in all three of his country's matches at the World Cup in Brazil, leaving him with 104 caps and 64 international goals to his name.