The Bookseller.com

17th May 2008

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Aurum signs Drogba

07.03.08 Tom Tivnan

Aurum Press has bought the autobiography of Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.

The Ivory Coast international, who was the Premier League’s top scorer last season with 20 goals, aims to write "a moving and honest account" of his life on and off the pitch. The 2006 African Player of the Year will also reflect on the turbulent politics of his homeland.

World English rights were acquired by Aurum's commissioning editor Natasha Martin from agent Daisy Froger-Droz, acting for French newspaper L'Equipe's sports publisher Editions Prolongations. Aurum will publish Didier Drogba: My Autobiography this summer.

Martin said: "The best thing about the book is Didier is known for being an intelligent and honest player who always says what he thinks. This is an incredibly exciting acquisition; it promises to be one of the bestselling football books of 2008."

Drogba, who signed with Chelsea for £23.4m from French side Marseilles in 2004, was born in the Ivory Coast, moving to France at the age of five. His time at Chelsea has seen some moments of controversy; in his second season, he admitted to sometimes diving before later retracting the statement. This year, he threatened to quit Chelsea after the resignation of coach José Mourinho.

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