Extra Time: Drogba brings the bling for Chelsea's Champions League winners

6 Dec 2012 22:45:00

The Ivorian presented each of his team-mates from last season's European triumph with a custom-made ring to mark the occasion, at a total cost of around €1 million

Didier Drogba may no longer be a Chelsea player, but he remains the gift that keeps giving for his former team-mates.

It is now seven months since the big Ivorian netted the penalty which earned the Blues a first ever Champions League triumph, before departing for China and Shanghai Shenhua in the summer.

But to ensure the achievement is remembered forever, Drogba tonight made the remarkable gesture of presenting each of his team-mates from last season's European victory with a custom-made ring.

Each piece of sparkling metalwork bears the words "2011-2012 UEFA CL CHAMPIONS" on its face, with "CHELSEA VS BAYERN MUNICH" on the side.

The rings were presented by the Ivorian himself during a specially-organised dinner at a hotel in London, and are believed to have cost a total of around £800,000 (€1 million) to produce.

Drogba also presented rings to the Chelsea backroom staff involved in the triumph, although former Blues boss Roberto Di Matteo was unable to attend.

The gesture may also have been a form of apology, after the Ivorian was last month refused permission by Fifa to leave Shanghai on an emergency loan basis outside the transfer window, thus scuppering a sensational return to Stamford Bridge.

Drogba is expected to spend some time training with the Chelsea squad over the next month, however, as he bids to maintain his fitness ahead of the African Cup of Nations in January, now the Chinese Super League season is over.

The Ivorian was recently voted the Blues' greatest ever player in an official supporters' poll.