Drogba tells Chelsea: I’m off

SO LONG ... Didier Drogba bows out on a high after Chelsea's Champions League triumph

DIDIER DROGBA broke down in tears as he told stunned team-mates: ‘I’m off.’

The big hitman insists it broke his heart to finally admit his eight-year stay at Chelsea was over.

Drogba started to cry when he informed John Terry, Frank Lampard and the rest: ‘We will no longer be together next season.’

He made the shock announcment at the Blues victory parade, 24 hours after helping them to Champions League glory.

The 34-year-old is expected to link up with former team-mate Nicolas Anelka at Shanghai in China in a £200,000-a-week deal.

But the move was thrown in to doubt last night when it emerged coach Anelka is involved in a row with Shanghai’s owners.

Drogba said: “Even though it’s been three years since I said that I wanted to leave, I find it hard to admit that it’s over with this club — especially since I did not want this end.”

Drogba told France Football magazine: “I could not see myself sitting on the bench watching others play when the club plans to set up a new team.

"I’m not relieved, I am especially sad to leave such good guys. I prepare for my leap into the void, into the unknown.”

The Ivorian claims he could never play for another Premier League side.

He added: “If I must leave it will be for an adventure that’s totally different from the big leagues.

"First, because there is no question I would play for anyone else in England other than Chelsea and also, because I don’t know what I could get in Spain, Italy or Germany that I don’t already know.

“I don’t want to start an ordinary adventure elsewhere. I’m more attracted to a new life.”

Anelka has helped negotiations between Shanghai and Drogba reach an advanced stage.

But the Frenchman is unhappy with the interference he has encountered since taking over as player-coach from Jean Tigana last month and could decide to walk away.