Drogba says he's not joining Corinthians after talks with club

Didier Drogba will not be spending his twilight years in Sao Paulo.

The former Chelsea and Montreal Impact frontman has turned down advances from Brazilian side Corinthians after the club’s sporting director Flavio Adauto confirmed an interest in acquiring the 38-year-old.

Drogba confirmed that talks with Corinthians president Roberto de Andrade occurred on Tuesday, but nothing materialised meaning he remains a free agent after leaving Major League Soccer in 2016.

His tweeted statement read:

There have been a lot of rumours linking me to a move to Corinthians but it was important for me to speak with Mr. Roberto de Andrade the President of the team which I did today.

I explained to him that whilst I am very honoured at their interest in me joining the club, it does not feel like the right move for me at this time.

I would like to thank the club and all the Corinthians fans for the messages and wish you all every success for the new season.

Corinthians could have marked the eighth club Drogba has represented in a career that has amassed a Champions League medal and a collective five domestic title wins in England and Turkey. His teammates in southeast Brazil would have included former Manchester City flop Jo, and the nomadic and troubled England-born Turkey international Colin Kazim-Richards.

Despite being a bit long in the tooth, Drogba has insisted he “feels like a kid” and previously talked up a return to Marseille, where he plied his trade between 2003-04.