New Impact star Dider Drogba has touched down in Montreal.

The Ivorian striker was met at Trudeau Airport Wednesday afternoon to a crush of cameras and cheering fans, who followed the athlete to his vehicle, causing pandemonium as he drove away.

Drogba did not meet with reporters, but held up a scarf bearing the logo of his new team, the Montreal Impact.

Earlier in the day, the 37 year old tweeted a photo of himself inside the cockpit on his flight to his new adopted city.

 Montreal welcomed him warmly, chanting his name, pounding drums and greeting him with traditional African dance.

Impact manager Adam Braz, was also on hand to welcome him.

Drogba will meet the media Thursday evening alongside Impact owner Joey Saputo.

After days of rumours and negotiations, the Impact scored the biggest coup in the history of the MLS by hiring Drogba to play for the squad.

Braz announced Monday that Drogba had accepted an 18-month contract with the team. ESPN has reported that the contract is worth US $3 million per season.

In order to acquire Drogba, the Impact had to pay $500,000 to the Chicago Fire, which held the MLS rights of former Ivory Coast international player.

Drogba, who is Francophone, was also received offers from India and Qatar, but expressed his interest in playing for Montreal due to it being a French-speaking city.
 


With a report from La Presse Canadienne