Didier Drogba joins as player cum co-owner of an American club
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Drogba joins US side Phoenix Rising as player and co-owner | Image: m.sohu.com[/caption]
Internet Desk: Chelsea legend Didier Drogba has announced his new project, as the prolific goalscorer has joined American side Phoenix Rising as a player cum co-owner at the United Soccer League club.
The former Cote d'Ivoire captain has taken the ownership group at the USL side but will also feature as a player on their roster. Phoenix are looking to join America's top division the Major League Soccer as an expansion franchise and Drogba will play a role in developing the club off the field.
The Ivorian tweeted from his official Twitter handle to announce the move, saying: 'Happy to announce I have signed with and will be part of the ownership group hoping to take Phoenix to the MLS.'
The former Marseille star most recently featured for Canadian MLS side Montreal Impact, where he spent a successful 2015-16 season scoring 21 goals. Drogba said in a statement on Phoenix Rising's official website: 'I have taken my time in deciding what I wanted to do next and am really excited about the opportunity at Phoenix Rising FC. 'After seeing first hand the potential for expansion of the sport in North America and getting to know the ownership group in Phoenix, I am convinced that I can help them develop their organization on and off the pitch. 'I look forward to their continued success in the USL, and no city is better positioned than Phoenix for expansion into the MLS.' Drogba joins his former Chelsea team-mate Shaun Wright-Phillips at the Arizona side in addition to another couple of familiar Premier League names. Former Newcastle and QPR defender Peter Ramage is also on Phoenix's roster as well as ex-Watford and Derby left back Jordan Stewart. Two more expansion sides were welcomed into the MLS for the start of the 2017 season - Minnesota United and Atlanta United - and Phoenix Rising are hoping to eventually join them in the division. USL President Jake Edwards added in a statement: 'The United Soccer League is a league on the rise, and today we welcome global superstar Didier Drogba, who joins the growing number of elite, world-class players and rising young talent who choose to make our league their home. 'I also applaud Didier's commitment to further the overall growth of the game in North America. 'He will be a great ambassador for our sport, using his experience, talent and vision to benefit fans, as well as fellow players. 'His invaluable mentorship will guide our young stars in the locker room and on the field, contributing to the future success of our league and the game for years to come.'Happy to announce I have signed with @PHXRIsingFC and will be part of the ownership group hoping to take Phoenix to the MLS #Drogba2PHX pic.twitter.com/h1eefmqgJL
— Didier Drogba (@didierdrogba) April 12, 2017
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