Rooney, Drogba, Crespo, & more: Looking back at 2004's transfer merry-go-round of strikers

4. Didier Drogba - Olympique de Marseille to Chelsea (£24 million, 20th July 2004)

Signed in the summer of 2004, Drogba enjoys legendary status at Stamford Bridge

Didier Drogba was a physically imposing and a hard-working striker. Known for his hold-up play and speed, physicality and pace, his powerful and accurate shot was the most impressive attribute of his game.

Born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Drogba started his football career at Le Mans, who were then in Ligue 2, signing his first professional contract aged 21. Two seasons later, Ligue 1 side Guingamp snapped him up for £80,000. He helped the club avoid relegation in his first season with the club and then propelled them to 7th, their best-ever finish in Ligue 1, scoring 17 goals in 34 appearances.

He then moved to Chelsea in 2004, where he'd attain legendary status. Over two spells with the club, he won the league and the FA Cup 4 times, the League Cup (now known as the Carabao Cup) thrice, the Community Shield twice and the 2012 UEFA Champions League, scoring a dramatic equaliser in the 88th minute and then the winner in the ensuing penalty shoot-out in what turned out to be his final game for the club in his first spell.

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Chelsea - Premier League

He then moved to Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua in 2012. He moved back to Europe within 6 months and signed for Turkish club Galatasaray in January 2013. 18 months later, he was back at Chelsea under the tutelage of Jose Mourinho, the man who had initially brought him to Stamford Bridge.

He then winded his career down at Major League Soccer side Montreal Impact and United Soccer League side Pheonix Rising, a club he owns, thus becoming the first player-owner in the history of professional club football.