Ivory Coast coach Nouzaret has key role for Drogba

The striker showed impressive form with Guingamp last season.

He scored 17 goals and was third in the first division's goalscorers chart.

Drogba's first league game for Marseilles will be against his old club when the French season commences on 2 August.

I am sure I have made the right decision. Ivorian attacker Didier Drogba

Drogba said he has been a long-time supporter of the club.

"When I was young, Marseille was the team in my heart, the team that got me going," the Ivorian told Marseille's website.

"Players like (Jean-Pierre) Papin, (Chris) Waddle and (Abedi) Pele made me dream.

"I really want to play here and I am sure I have made the right decision."

Drogba's super season in France has made him a regular starter for the Ivorian national side.

But their recent defeat in South Africa could result in their absence from the 2004 Nations Cup finals in Tunisia.

Nations Cup Group 12 stats

"I am enormously disappointed.

"I am really finding it difficult to get over this loss [to South Africa]," Drogba said.

"We lost at a time when we really didn't expect to. Barring a miracle, we will not be going to the Nations Cup finals."

Drogba hopes to strengthen his growing reputation at Marseilles.

"I never set myself precise targets.