Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua declared on Wednesday it was shocked by Cote d'Ivoire striker Didier Drogba's transfer to Turkish club Galatasaray, and said it will appeal to FIFA to protect the club's interests.

Shenhua said in an announcement posted on its website that it was stunned by Galatasaray's approach to a player still under contract.

"We understand Drogba's eagerness to play in the UEFA Champions League, but Shanghai Shenhua Football Club signed a 2 1/2-year contract with Drogba on July 1, 2012," the announcement read. "Our club has complied with the terms of the contract and fulfilled our responsibilities and obligations from the start to now.