MLS club Montreal Impact rope in Didier Drogba

Montreal: Canadian football club Montreal Impact who play in Major League Soccer (MLS) have announced the signing of Didier Drogba, in a trade with Chicago Fire.

The Ivorian will officially join the team upon receiving his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and his Canadian work permit. As per MLS policy, the details of the deal were not released.

"It's an honour to welcome Didier Drogba to the Impact," Impact president Joey Saputo on Monday was quoted as saying by the club's website impactmontreal.com.

"From the first conversation I had with him, I felt that he really wanted to play in Montreal. This is one of the biggest days in club history and his arrival to the club will be beneficial in every aspect."

The 37-year-old has played in 381 games with English giant Chelsea FC between 2004 and 2012, and during the 2014-15 season, ranking fourth all-time with 164 goals, adding 88 assists.

The Ivorian player is also one of the best strikers in English Premier League history with 104 goals and 63 assists in 254 games, all played with the Blues. He helped the London club win four Premier League titles (2004-05, 2005-06, 2009-10, 2014-15), four FA Cup titles (2006-07, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2011-12) and three League Cup titles (2004-05, 2006-07, 2014-15).

He won the Premier League Golden Boot twice, following seasons of 20 goals in 2006-07 and 29 goals in 2009-10.

Drogba also has tallied 44 goals and 16 assists in 92 UEFA Champions League games, six goals in eight UEFA Cup games, 12 goals in 29 FA Cup games and 10 goals in 20 League Cup games.

Indian Super League (ISL) club Atletico de Kolkata too had shown interest in the talismanic striker to land him for the upcoming season.