The Ivory Coast striker, who first signed for Chelsea in 2004, has scored 104 goals in 253 league matches, becoming a talisman during the most successful era in the west London club's history.
Drogba will be best remembered for scoring a late equaliser and the decisive spot-kick in the penalty shootout against Bayern Munich which won the 2012 Champions League final.
The 37 year-old re-signed for Chelsea last year, after leaving the club in 2012 for Shanghai Shenhua and then Turkey's Galatasaray following a highly successful eight year spell.
In total Drogba has won four Premier League titles with Chelsea, three League Cups, four FA Cups and the Champions League.
The striker was voted Chelsea's greatest-ever player by supporters in 2012.
"I want to play for at least one more season and in order to play more football I feel I need to go to another club," he told Chelsea's website.
However, he also raised the possibility of a return to the club once his playing days are over, saying: "All the fans know my love for Chelsea and I hope to be back here in the future in another role."
Image: Didier Drogba of Chelsea celebrates winning the Premier League title.
Photograph: Clive Mason/Getty Images