Anelka joins the Baggies after agreeing a surprise switch
West Bromwich Albion have completed their first signing of the close season by bringing in ex-Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool striker Nicolas Anelka on a free transfer.
The 34-year-old joins the club on a one-year deal and makes the Baggies the Frenchman’s sixth side in England, having also played for Manchester City and Bolton Wanderers.
Anelka has a prolific goal-scoring record in the English top flight, netting 124 times in 352 matches and is currently 12th in the all-time list of top-scorers in the Premier League.
The last club the retired France international played for in Britain was the Blues, but has since had unsuccessful spells in both China and Italy with Shanghai Shenhua and Juventus since leaving Stamford Bridge in January 2012.
The forward started his career at current Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain, before moving across the Channel in a transfer to the Gunners.
Since then Anelka has played in six different countries, which has included terms with Real Madrid and Turkish side Fenerbahce.
The striker has won two Premier League titles, one Serie A, three FA Cups and the Champions League, as well as being part of the France squad that became European champions in 2000.
Anelka’s turbulent international career ended in 2010 following a bust-up with then national coach Raymond Domenech, which resulted in an 18-month ban for the attacker.
West Brom manager Steve Clarke will now be hoping that his latest acquisition fills the gap left by Romelu Lukaku – with the Belgian returning to Stamford Bridge following a successful spell at the Hawthorns that included scoring 17 league goals.
Baggies fans enjoy as Anelka bangs in goal after goal in England:
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