Didier Drogba will begin his second spell at Chelsea next season after agreeing a one-year deal with Jose Mourinho's side.
The 36-year-old striker and Blues favourite returns to Stamford Bridge after leaving in 2012 for stints at Shanghai Shenhua and Galatasaray.
Didier Drogba is back at Chelsea to 'make more history'
"It was an easy decision - I couldn't turn down the opportunity to work with Jose again," Drogba said.
"Everyone knows the special relationship I have with this club and it has always felt like home to me."
Drogba became a free agent upon leaving Galatasaray at the end of last season so there is no transfer fee involved in the deal.
Story continues after slideshow
Drogba at Chelsea
Chelsea v Galatasaray AS - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(01 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Chelsea fans hold a banner welcoming back former player Didier Drogba of Galatasaray prior to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Chelsea and Galatasaray AS at Stamford Bridge on March 18, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Galatasaray AS - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(02 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Chelsea fans hold a banner welocming back former player Didier Drogba of Galatasaray prior to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Chelsea and Galatasaray AS at Stamford Bridge on March 18, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Galatasaray AS - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(03 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Former Chelsea player Didier Drogba of Galatasaray and son Isaac wave to the crowd prior to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Chelsea and Galatasaray AS at Stamford Bridge on March 18, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Galatasaray AS - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(04 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Former Chelsea player Didier Drogba of Galatasaray and son Isaac on the pitch with Ron Gourlay, Chief Executive of Chelsea prior to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Chelsea and Galatasaray AS at Stamford Bridge on March 18, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Galatasaray AS Training and Press Conference(05 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 17: Didier Drogba of Galatasary in action during a Galatasaray AS training session at Stamford Bridge on March 17, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Galatasaray's Ivorian forward Didier Drogba (R) speaks with Chelsea's Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech at the end of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg football match between Chelsea and Galatasaray at Stamford Bridge in London, on March 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Galatasaray AS - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(07 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Former Chelsea player Didier Drogba of Galatasaray waves to the crowd prior to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Chelsea and Galatasaray AS at Stamford Bridge on March 18, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Galatasaray's Ivorian forward Didier Drogba (2nd R) and Galatasaray's Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder (2nd L) line-up before the start of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg football match between Chelsea and Galatasaray at Stamford Bridge in London, on March 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Galatasaray's Ivorian forward Didier Drogba applauds the crowd after losing 0-2 during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg football match between Chelsea and Galatasaray at Stamford Bridge in London, on March 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Galatasaray AS - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(10 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Didier Drogba of Galatasaray applauds the crowd after the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Chelsea and Galatasaray AS at Stamford Bridge on March 18, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Galatasaray AS - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(11 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Didier Drogba of Galatasaray applauds the crowd after the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Chelsea and Galatasaray AS at Stamford Bridge on March 18, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Galatasaray AS - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(12 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Didier Drogba of Galatasaray applauds the crowd after the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Chelsea and Galatasaray AS at Stamford Bridge on March 18, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Galatasaray's Ivorian forward Didier Drogba (3rd R) defends his own goal during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg football match between Chelsea and Galatasaray at Stamford Bridge in London, on March 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Galatasaray's Ivorian forward Didier Drogba (R) vies for the ball with Chelsea's English defender Gary Cahill during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg football match between Chelsea and Galatasaray at Stamford Bridge in London, on March 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Galatasaray AS - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(15 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Didier Drogba of Galatasaray holds his chest during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Chelsea and Galatasaray AS at Stamford Bridge on March 18, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Galatasaray's Ivorian forward Didier Drogba (R) vies for the ball with Chelsea's English defender Gary Cahill during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg football match between Chelsea and Galatasaray at Stamford Bridge in London, on March 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Galatasaray AS - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(17 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Didier Drogba of Galatasaray looks on during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Chelsea and Galatasaray AS at Stamford Bridge on March 18, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Galatasaray AS - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(18 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Didier Drogba of Galatasaray looks on during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Chelsea and Galatasaray AS at Stamford Bridge on March 18, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Galatasaray AS - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(19 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Didier Drogba of Galatasaray salutes the crowd after the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Chelsea and Galatasaray AS at Stamford Bridge on March 18, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Galatasaray's Ivorian forward Didier Drogba (L) bids farewell to Chelsea's English defender John Terry at the end of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg football match between Chelsea and Galatasaray at Stamford Bridge in London, on March 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Galatasaray's Ivorian forward Didier Drogba acknowledges the crowd at the end of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg football match between Chelsea and Galatasaray at Stamford Bridge in London, on March 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Galatasaray's Ivorian forward Didier Drogba (L) bids farewell to Chelsea's Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech at the end of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg football match between Chelsea and Galatasaray at Stamford Bridge in London, on March 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Galatasaray's Ivorian forward Didier Drogba (L) bids farewell to Chelsea's English defender John Terry at the end of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg football match between Chelsea and Galatasaray at Stamford Bridge in London, on March 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Galatasaray AS - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(24 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Didier Drogba of Galatasaray controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Chelsea and Galatasaray AS at Stamford Bridge on March 18, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Galatasaray's Ivorian forward Didier Drogba (L) bids farewell to Chelsea's English midfielder Frank Lampard at the end of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg football match between Chelsea and Galatasaray at Stamford Bridge in London, on March 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Galatasaray AS - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(26 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Didier Drogba of Galatasaray and groundsman Jason Griffin after the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Chelsea and Galatasaray AS at Stamford Bridge on March 18, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Galatasaray's Ivorian forward Didier Drogba acknowledges the crowd at the end of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg football match between Chelsea and Galatasaray at Stamford Bridge in London, on March 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Galatasaray AS - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(28 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Didier Drogba of Galatasaray shakes hands with Petr Cech of Chelsea after the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Chelsea and Galatasaray AS at Stamford Bridge on March 18, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Galatasaray AS - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(29 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Didier Drogba of Galatasaray shakes hands with Eden Hazard (17) and Branislav Ivanovic of Chelsea (2) after the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Chelsea and Galatasaray AS at Stamford Bridge on March 18, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Galatasaray's Ivorian forward Didier Drogba (2nd R) bids farewell to Chelsea's Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic (R) and Chelsea's Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard (L) at the end of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg football match between Chelsea and Galatasaray at Stamford Bridge in London, on March 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Galatasaray AS - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(31 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Didier Drogba of Galatasaray holds his chest during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Chelsea and Galatasaray AS at Stamford Bridge on March 18, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Galatasaray AS - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(32 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Former Chelsea player Didier Drogba of Galatasaray walks on to the pitch prior to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Chelsea and Galatasaray AS at Stamford Bridge on March 18, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Galatasaray AS - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(33 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Didier Drogba of Galatasaray reacts during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Chelsea and Galatasaray AS at Stamford Bridge on March 18, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Galatasaray AS - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(34 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Didier Drogba of Galatasaray shoots past Gary Cahill of Chelsea during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Chelsea and Galatasaray AS at Stamford Bridge on March 18, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Chelsea's Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto'o (Facing) greets Galatasaray's Ivorian forward Didier Drogba before the start of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg football match between Chelsea and Galatasaray at Stamford Bridge in London, on March 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Galatasaray AS - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(36 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Former Chelsea player Didier Drogba of Galatasaray (11) walks on to the pitch prior to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Chelsea and Galatasaray AS at Stamford Bridge on March 18, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Chelsea's English defender John Terry (Top) heads the ball over Galatasaray's Ivorian forward Didier Drogba during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg football match between Chelsea and Galatasaray at Stamford Bridge in London, on March 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Galatasaray AS - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(38 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Former Chelsea player Didier Drogba of Galatasaray walks on to the pitch prior to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Chelsea and Galatasaray AS at Stamford Bridge on March 18, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Galatasaray AS - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(39 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Former Chelsea player Didier Drogba of Galatasaray walks on to the pitch prior to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Chelsea and Galatasaray AS at Stamford Bridge on March 18, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Galatasaray AS - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(40 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Didier Drogba of Galatasaray reacts during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Chelsea and Galatasaray AS at Stamford Bridge on March 18, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Galatasaray AS - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(41 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Didier Drogba of Galatasaray tussles with Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Chelsea and Galatasaray AS at Stamford Bridge on March 18, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Galatasaray AS - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(42 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Didier Drogba of Galatasaray shoots past Gary Cahill of Chelsea during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Chelsea and Galatasaray AS at Stamford Bridge on March 18, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Galatasaray's Ivorian forward Didier Drogba (R) in action against Chelsea's Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg football match between Chelsea and Galatasaray at Stamford Bridge in London, on March 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A tribute to Galatasaray's Ivorian forward Didier Drogba is pictured in the Chelsea stand during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg football match between Chelsea and Galatasaray at Stamford Bridge in London, on March 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Galatasaray AS - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(45 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Didier Drogba of Galatasaray holds his chest during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Chelsea and Galatasaray AS at Stamford Bridge on March 18, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Galatasaray AS - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(46 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Didier Drogba of Galatasaray (R) looks on as John Terry of Chelsea reacts after missing a chance during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Chelsea and Galatasaray AS at Stamford Bridge on March 18, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Galatasaray AS - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(47 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Didier Drogba of Galatasaray tussles with Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Chelsea and Galatasaray AS at Stamford Bridge on March 18, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Ivorian marksman was named Chelsea's greatest ever player in a poll of fans in 2012 after scoring 157 goals in 341 appearances.
His last act in a Blues shirt was to rifle home the winning penalty in the shoot-out against Bayern Munich that seized the London club's first Champions League crown two years ago.
"My desire to win is still the same and I look forward to the opportunity to help this team," Drogba said.
"I'm excited for this next chapter of my career."
Mourinho, who originally lured Drogba to Chelsea for £24million in 2004 and who said in March he expected him to return, insists the decision to re-sign the club's fourth highest scorer of all time was not clouded by sentimentality.
"Didier's coming because he's one of the best strikers in Europe," Mourinho said.
"I know his personality very well and I know if he comes back he's not protected by history or what he's done for this club previously.
"He is coming with the mentality to make more history."
It was Drogba's equalising header that took the 2012 Champions League final into extra time and his 34 goals in European competition are a Chelsea record, as are the nine strikes in nine cup finals.
The first spell at Stamford Bridge, spanning eight years, produced three Barclays Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups and the prized victory over Bayern Munich.
Drogba's spell in Chinese football failed to last one of the two-and-a-half year deal amid allegations of unpaid wages, but he enjoyed greater success at Galatasaray, winning the 2012-13 Turkish league title.
At Chelsea he joins a crop of strikers including new signing Diego Costa as well as Romelu Lukaku and Victor Moses, who both spent last season out on loan.
Samuel Eto'o and Demba Ba have already departed the club this summer.