Didier Drogba.

Drogba kicked off his professional career at Ligue 2 side Le Mans. His career was quite affected by injury and he lost his place to Daniel Cousin. But he soon bounced back and Guingamp showed interest in signing him.

Drogba joined Guingamp in the middle of the 2001-02 Ligue 1 season.

In his first season at the club, he scored thrice in eleven games and followed it up with 17 goals in 34 games the next season, helping Guingamp finish 7th- a record league finish.

Drogba attributed his performance to the contribution of his teammates, particularly Florent Malouda who was his long-time friend.

He soon attracted interest from Marseille and the club signed him in 2003.

In his only season at Marseille, Drogba scored 19 goals in the league, 5 goals in the UEFA Champions League and 6 goals in the UEFA Cup. He was named Ligue 1 Player of the Season.

Drogba's Marseille shirt was framed in the basilica of Marseille at Notre-Dame de la Garde.

In July 2004, Chelsea signed him for £24 million- a club record at the time.