Turkish delight as Drogba arrives in Istanbul

8 Feb 2013 16:45:00

The striker arrived in Istanbul on Friday evening after agreeing to join the Turkish club from Shanghai Shenhua in January, though his move was delayed by his Afcon participation

New Galatasaray signing Didier Drogba is raring to go having been given a rapturous welcome on his arrival in Istanbul on Friday.

Similar to when Wesley Sneijder arrived in the country last month to finalise his move to the Champions League last-16 competitors, thousands of fans greeted the striker upon his exit from the airport.

Once he arrived at the club headquarters, Drogba revealed his satisfaction with his signing from Shanghai Shenhua - where his agents had claimed he was not being paid - and said he hopes to aid to club in future achievements.

Sat alongside head coach Fatih Terim, the forward told Galatasaray TV: "I've met with the coach, but it’s not the first time we’ve met. He just remembered me from when Cote d’Ivoire national team played against Turkey.

"I’m really happy to be here for me as it’s a new challenge, a new part of my life. I will do my best to be successful for the club."

The former Chelsea player agreed to join the Turkish club in January from Shanghai Shenhua, though had yet to travel to the nation to publicly finalise the deal as he had been with the Cote d’Ivoire team at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Drogba will be paid €15,000 per appearance at Galatasaray, on top of a €4m paid to the player up front, €2m for this season and €4m in the 2013-14 campaign.

The ex-Marseille striker, who scored the Champions League-winning penalty in the final for Chelsea last year, will wear the No. 12 for his new club.

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