Didier Drogba will call time on his playing career after the 2018 United Soccer League (USL) season to focus on other projects.

The four-time Premier League champion scored nine goals in his first season with Phoenix Rising as they finished fifth in the Western Conference.

As well as being Phoenix’s star player, the Ivorian is also an owner of the club and it is his off-field ventures that the 39-year-old wants to concentrate on.

‘I think next year will be my last season,’ he told RMC. ‘There comes a time when you have to stop.

‘I need time for my other projects. It’s good to play, but at 39, it holds me back a bit.’

After moving to Chelsea in 2004, Drogba established himself as one of the top strikers in world football, his strength and goal-scoring prowess setting him apart from his rivals.

In nine years at Stamford Bridge – over two spells – the forward scored 164 times for the Blues, including a crucial goal and the winning penalty as they won the Champions League in 2012.

Away from the Premier League Drogba also lifted the Super Lig title with Galatasaray in 2013, while he also spent time in China before moving to MLS with Montreal Impact.

-This story originally appeared on FourFourTwo.co.za