Didier Drogba seeks FIFA clearance for loan return to Chelsea

Didier Drogba has applied to FIFA for special dispensation to move from Shanghai Shenhua outside of the official transfer window.

Drogba is due to play with the Ivory Coast in the African Cup of Nations in January and he has sought permission from FIFA to move on loan during the Chinese Super League off-season.

Under existing FIFA rules, Drogba is prevented from playing for another club until the transfer window opens on January 1, but he has requested to be allowed to move on a temporary basis.

The former Chelsea striker may be out of luck, however, as FIFA have previously turned down requests from David Beckham and Thierry Henry to join clubs on loan during the Major League Soccer off-season.

Earlier this month Drogba hinted that he would be open to the idea of returning to train with Chelsea and his subsequent application to FIFA could alert the attention of the Blues, who have suffered a dramatic dip in form resulting in the departure of manager Roberto Di Matteo.