Full name: Didier Drogba

Date of birth: March 11, 1978

Place of birth: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

Position: Striker

Current club: Chelsea

Previous clubs: Le Mans (France), Guingamp (France), Marseille (France)

Caps: 66 (43 goals)

 

Drogba was born in Abidjan on March 11, 1981 and currently plays for English Club, Chelsea.

 

As a young child Drogba moved to France, living with various family members and after playing in youth teams, Drogba made his professional debut aged 18 for Ligue 2 club Le Mans.

 

A late bloomer, he signed his first professional contract aged 21 but it wasn’t until the 2002 and 2003 season that he realized his potential, scoring 17 goals in 34 appearances in Ligue 1 for Guingamp.

 

During the same season he made his first international appearance for Cote d’Ivoire in September and scored his first international goal the following February. He moved to Olympique de Marseille in 2003 and his potency in front of goal continued, finishing as the third highest scorer in the league with 19 goals and making it to the 2004 UEFA Cup final

 

Drogba joined Chelsea in 2004 and has carved a niche for himself as one of the greatest players in recent times to have played at Stamford Bridge.

 

His commitment to his national team remains unquestionable and was pivotal in their qualification for their 18^th appearance at the continental showpiece soccer in Angola, where they were bundled out at t the quarter-final stage as well as their World Cup berth.

 

The huge striker was crowned African Footballer of the Year in 2006 at the Awards Gala held in Accra, Ghana.