Didier Drogba has confirmed he has turned down a move to Brazilian side Corinthians after talking to the club's president.
Drogba, 38, has been without a club since leaving Montreal Impact after the end of the Canadian club's Major League Soccer season in December.
The former Chelsea and Galatasaray striker said that he intends to continue his playing career, but it will not be with the Sao Paulo club.
"There have been a lot of rumours linking me with a move to Corinthians, but it was important for me to speak with Mr Roberto de Andrade, the President of the team, which I did today," Drogba said in a statement published on his official Twitter account in the early hours of Wednesday.
"I explained to him that whilst I am very honoured at their interest in me joining the club, it does not feel like the right move for me at this time.
"I would like to thank the club and all the Corinthians fans for the messages and wish you all every success for the new season."
Valeu @Corinthians pic.twitter.com/Aadn90mq8t
- Didier Drogba (@didierdrogba) February 1, 2017
Corinthians issued a statement in which they thanked Drogba for speaking to them.
"Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, through its presidency, thanks Ivorian striker Didier Drogba for the talks in recent weeks with Roberto de Andrade," it read.
"Life is made up of choices, and so the world-renowned player will follow another course in the season. We thank the athlete for the attention he has given us during this period, and we are sure that we have won the affection of one more loyal supporter."
Drogba has again been linked with a return to Marseille, the club where his goal-scoring exploits in the 2003-04 season earned him a move to Chelsea, where he established himself as one of Europe's premier forwards.