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Didier Drogba denied early loan move to Chelsea
DIDIER DROGBA has seen his chances of returning to Chelsea before the January transfer window dashed by FIFA today.
The world governing body rejected the 34-year-old Ivory Coast striker's special request to leave Shanghai Shenhua on loan early.
Drogba was looking for a temporary move to build his fitness ahead of the African Nations Cup after the Chinese Super League season ended this month.
A FIFA statement said: "We can confirm that the player Didier Drogba submitted a request for authorisation to be registered outside an open registration period for a club on a loan basis.
"Fifa has informed him about the relevant regulations... that players may only be registered during one of the two annual registration periods fixed by the relevant association."
FIFA made similar rulings in previous cases when MLS players David Beckham, Thierry Henry and Landon Donovan were looking for loan moves.
We can confirm that the player Didier Drogba submitted a request for authorisation to be registered outside an open registration period for a club on a loan basis
The only exception was when a player's contract expired outside of the January or summer transfer windows.
More...
• Didier Drogba: No-regrets over leaving Chelsea
Drogba left Chelsea in the summer after spending eight years with the London club.
He amassed 100 goals in 226 appearances for the Blues, including a crucial equaliser in last season's Champions League final against Bayern Munich.