Nicolas Anelka moves to Chelsea in £15 million deal

Nicolas Anelka, front, vies with Sammi Hyypia during the English Premier League match between Bolton and Liverpool on Dec. 2 last year at Anfield, Liverpool. PHOTO: AFP

Chelsea signed Nicolas Anelka from Premier League strugglers Bolton Wanderers for £15 million (US$29.4 million) yesterday.

The 28-year-old Anelka signed a four and a half year contract with the Blues.

Bolton had already rejected an offer from Chelsea on Monday, but agreed to sell the France striker after receiving an improved bid.

Blues manager Avram Grant said after Chelsea's League Cup semi-final first leg victory over Everton on Tuesday that he hoped to clinch a deal in time for today's Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur.

Chelsea were keen to sign the Frenchman to compensate for the departure of leading scorer Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou to the African Cup of Nations.

The Ivory Coast internationals will away for about a month while they play at the Jan. 20 to Feb. 10 event.

With Ukrainian Andriy Shevchenko injured and Peruvian Claudio Pizarro in unconvincing form, the Blues had been left short in attack as they challenge for the Premier League and Champions League.

Anelka, who signed a new four-year contract at Bolton in August, has scored 11 goals this season for a team fighting to avoid relegation.

He joined Bolton in August 2006 for £8 million and has now cost a record total of about £85 million in a career that has taken him to Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester City and Fenerbahce.

Former Argentina midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron is soccer's next most expensive player at a cumulative £77 million.