Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba confirmed yesterday he will leave newly-crowned European cham-pions Chelsea when his contract expires at the end of June.

Drogba has been at the Premier League club since 2004, joining from Marseille, and has scored 157 goals in 341 appearances helping the Blues win ten trophies.

The 34-year-old leaves the London club on a high after scoring a late equaliser against Bayern Munich in the Champions League final on Saturday and then converting the decisive penalty in a dramatic shoot-out after extra-time.

“I wanted to put an end to the speculation and confirm that I am leaving Chelsea,” he told Chelsea’s website.

“It has been a very difficult decision for me to make and I am very proud of what we have achieved, but the time is right for a new challenge.”

Drogba is the club’s fourth all-time highest scorer and his 34 goals in European competition is a Chel-sea record by 10 goals.

During his eight seasons he won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups and the Champions League title.

“As a team we have accompli-shed so much and have won every single trophy possible,” Drogba, who won the Premier League Golden Boot twice, said.

“Saturday was a very special moment for everyone at the club and for all the fans, and I am very proud to have played my part in bringing many trophies to this club, which has been my home for the last eight years.”

Chelsea Chief Executive Ron Gourlay said: “Didier is undoubtedly a Chelsea legend.

“He is certainly leaving on a high after Saturday night but he feels the time is right for a new challenge.”

Meanwhile, the English media have linked the Ivorian target man with Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua, where his former Chelsea team-mate Nicolas Anelka is the player-coach.