Didier Yves Drogba Tébily is an Ivorian former professional footballer who played as a striker. He is the all-time top scorer and former captain of the Ivory Coast national team. He also ranks fourth for the all-time African men's top goalscorers in international football. Best known for his career at Chelsea, he is the club’s all-time top goalscorer as a foreign player and the club's fourth-highest goalscorer of all time. Widely regarded as one of the greatest African players of all time, Drogba was named African Footballer of the Year twice in 2006 and 2009.
After playing in youth teams, Drogba made his football debut at the age of 21 for Ligue 2 club Le Mans. After finishing the 2002–03 season with 17 goals in 34 appearances for Ligue 1 side Guingamp, he moved to Olympique de Marseille, where he finished as the third highest goalscorer in the 2003–04 season with 19 goals and helped the club reach the 2004 UEFA Cup Final.
In July 2004, Drogba moved to Premier League club Chelsea for £24 million, making him the most expensive Ivorian player of all time.