World superstar Didier Drogba will officially join Shanghai Shenhua tomorrow, according to local media reports, putting to an end months of speculation in one of the CSL’s longest-ever running transfer sagas.
Reports in Shanghai media initially said Drogba would join today, the first day of the CSL summer transfer window, however the latest reports suggest the news will first be broken by the man himself on his personal website.
Local media reported the deal is said to be worth 9.5 million UKP a year and the contract being haggled over said to consist of 50 pages, with separate editions in English, French and Chinese, with the French edition taking precedence in the event of any dispute.
Internet in Shanghai is currently on fire, with anticipation on social networks reaching fever pitch as the long-awaited transfer of the man who scored in the Champions League final just a few weeks ago appears to be about to become reality. “CSL defenders are already quaking in their boots” said one Shenhua fan on Weibo, amongst other more colourful and excitable posts by members of Shenhua’s hardcore fan group, the Blue Devils.
Several Shanghai newspapers carried stories today reporting that Shenhua are preparing Drogba’s work permit application and are securing a five-star hotel for him to live in Shanghai at first, and more permanent accommodation later.
Shenhua are also poised to unveil a big-name South American midfield signing by the end of the week.
I get to watch Shenhua in GZ twice soon 🙂
Hopefully you can beat the Shenyang bunch out at University town stadium and then see how you stack up against Hengda.
so Drogba is finally coming … let’s see how he can help revive Shenhua…any result less than AFC CL slots will be a total failure, hehe…
I wouldn’t put expectations that high. For Shenhua to make their way into an ACL position, they have a 10 point gap to make up and I just don’t see that happening through the league. There is the CFA Cup spot, but even then, its easy to slip up in a cup competition.