Drogba to leave Chelsea at the end of the season

The 37-year-old insists he will play on for at least one more season but has confirmed that it will not be at Stamford Bridge, where he has now won four Premier League titles

Didier Drogba has announced Sunday's clash with Sunderland will be his last as a Chelsea player as he will leave the club at the end of the season.

The Ivorian made a surprise return to Stamford Bridge last summer on a one-year contract and has chipped in with crucial goals against Manchester United, Tottenham and Leicester City to help Jose Mourinho's men secure a first Premier League title since 2010 - and Drogba's fourth of an illustrious career.

And while Drogba insists he is not yet ready to hang up his boots just yet, the 37-year-old has confirmed he is once again calling time on his Chelsea career - though he expects to return to the club in a non-playing capacity.

"I want to play for at least one more season and in order to play more football I feel I need to go to another club," he told the club's official website.

"All the fans know my love for Chelsea and I hope to be back here in the future in another role."

Drogba first left Chelsea in the summer of 2012, having scored the dramatic equaliser and winning penalty in the club's miraculous Champions League final triumph over Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.

As reward for his career with the Blues, Drogba will captain the side against Dick Advocaat's team before the team get their hands on the Premier League trophy at full-time.