Kolkata dangle $1 million for Didier Drogba

London: Former Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba was offered a whopping $1 million by Atletico de Kolkata’s co-owners to become the marquee player of the Indian Super League side though the high-profile player is yet to respond, according to a report here.

 

The 37-year-old, who called time on his second spell at Stamford Bridge at the end of last season, was offered a four-month deal by Atletico de Madrid to play in the second edition of the ISL later this year.

 

According to a report in the Evening Standard, Atletico proposed to pay Drogba $1 million plus an unspecified bonus in addition to his living costs and travel to India and undertake pre-season with the ISL champions next month before competing in the October 3 to December 20 league.

 

The newspaper said that Drogba’s camp is yet to make a decision on his future. The ISL clubs must confirm their marquee players by July 31.

 

“This is a real statement of intent from clubs in the Indian Super League, who are passionately trying to put India on the global football map,” Drogba’s UK-based agent Baljit Rihal was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

 

Since leaving Chelsea as a Premier League winner in May, Drogba has attracted the interest of several clubs including Major League Soccer sides Chicago Fire and the Montreal Impact.