Frank Lampard and other former team-mates hailed Chelsea legend Didier Drogba after he announced his retirement.
The 40-year-old confirmed he was hanging up his boots on Wednesday evening by uploading a photo of himself as a youngster on social media.
Following the news a host of players and clubs took the time to praise the former striker.
Derby manager Lampard, who played with Drogba for eight years at Stamford Bridge, said in his pre-match press conference on Thursday: 'He’s one of the greatest that I’ve played with, he’s a monster in the dressing room.'
Ex-Blues goalkeeper Petr Cech wrote on Twitter: 'What an amazing career... Congratulations my friend and I wish you all the best for the football retirement ... unbelievable player and person.'
Midfielder Michael Essien, who played alongside Drogba for seven years at Chelsea, posted a picture of the pair together from their days at the west London club with the caption: 'My brother @didierdrogba. It was a pleasure playing with you. You inspired many of us to go the extra mile and you have been a great ambassador for African Football and @chelseafc. Thank you brother and good luck in your future career.'
Chelsea tweeted: Enjoy your retirement, @didierdrogba! Thank you for the many wonderful memories...'
Before moving to the Premier League in 2004, Drogba spent a year at Marseille and the Ligue 1 side paid tribute to their former player.
The club's official Twitter account wrote: 'Legend. Olympien. Hero. @didierdrogba for a career that’s seen & won it all.'
Drogba had been playing this season in the United States with Phoenix Rising, the second-tier club at which he is a co-owner.
The club tweeted: 'Safe to say he will not be playing with us next season,' alongside the news that he had retired.
jucabmorz
186
Wish Didier Drogba all the best in his retirement. He is one of best from the African continent,a good servant wherever he played more especially at Chelsea where he is acknowledged as a legend. He will also be celebrated in his home country for building that Hospital for his people.Well done son of the soil
ointmentae
163
I'm a united fan and I have to admit Drogba was one of the best strikers I've seen in the premier league. He may not have been as prolific or technically gifted as other strikers, but he was the ultimate big game player. Every cup final Chelsea were in and pretty much every big league game Drogba would score and on his day he was unplayable.
kooq
155
Drogba is the most all rounded striker I've seen. He can head the ball, take free kicks, outmuscle the strongest defender, fast, good dribbler, can be used as an auxiliary defender, has vision, has technique, can hold up play, scorer of vital goals and so on. A dream lone striker. He had a slow start to the PL and that wasn't helped when playing under a defensive minded manager named Mourinho.
flash888
148
What a player A nightmare for all central defenders to deal with!! As Graham Souness once said 'he is a beast' of a center forward Respect DD
Filip_S
79
That header against bayern Munich in the last minute was something remarkable. Champions league 2012
dynamics
53
He was one of those players that you hated but if he played for your team you love him. A proper handful for the opposing defenders an always capable of a big goal. Quality.