Arsenal and Chelsea legends shun NPFL, embrace Djibouti league
Kalou, 36, and Gunners' cult star Song, 37, aim to help Arta to glory in the African equivalent of the Champions League
Djibouti, a country with a population of less than a million must be getting something right in its football and Nigeria, especially LMC the manager of NPFL need to understudy what they are doing right.
Like football leagues in Latin America and Asia, Djibouti League has been able to attract ageing top European players a feat the NPFL has not been able to accomplish.
The latest star to join Djibouti League is former Chelsea striker Solomon Kalou who joined ambitious Djibouti champs AS Arta Solar 7 in a vintage link-up with ex-Arsenal rival Alex Song.
Kalou, 36, and Gunners' cult star Song, 37, aim to help Arta to glory in the African equivalent of the Champions League.
The duo team up with a rich array of internationals, including one-time Cameroon keeper Idriss Carlos Kameni, Indomitable Lion defender Dany Nounkeu, Senegal frontman Diafra Sakho and Burkina Faso attacker Alain Traore.
But it's Kalou coming together with Cameroon legend Song that will capture the imagination of African football fans.
Arta are keen to become one of the major names in football's fastest-emerging continent.
And Kalou has signed a short-term deal after spells with Lille and Hertha BC.
He became a free agent after his contract with Brazilian's Botafogo expired in April this year.
Arta landed the Djiboutian double in 2021-22 of League and Cup.
The East African club are determined to strengthen their squad with bigger names.
Their main goal is to make a major impact in the Caf Champions League next season.
They fell to Kenyan top-flight side Tusker FC in the first qualifying round of this season's tournament.
And Kalou has been brought in specifically to shine in the Caf event.
Along with ex-Barcelona midfielder Song, he's the biggest name in the club's history.
