Its Official! Chelsea's Anelka Signs For Shanghai Shenhua

NICOLAS ANELKA has completed his transfer to China by signing a two-year contract with Shanghai Shenhua.

The Chelsea striker, 32, was out of favour under new boss Andre Villas-Boas at Stamford Bridge.

And a deal for the Frenchman to join Shenhua at the start of the January window has been agreed.

A Blues statement said: "Chelsea Football Club and Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua have agreed terms for the permanent transfer of Nicolas Anelka in the January transfer window."

A statement from the Chinese club added: "Shanghai Shenhua and Chelsea have reached a consensus.

"The French striker Nicolas Sebastian Anelka will in January, after the winter transfer window opens officially, join Shanghai Shenhua on a two-year contract." Anelka is expected to earn around £6million a year in China.

And Shanghai Shenhua director Zhou Jun said: "It definitely won't be below this figure."

The signing of Anelka is a huge coup for Chinese football and for Shenhua, who finished last season in 11th place. Zhou added: "It's like with the opening up of China. We needed to bring in the good stuff from foreign countries for us to learn from.

"The benefits Anelka brings to the club are obvious. Firstly it will definitely increase the squad's attacking capability.

"Secondly, the arrival of such a high level football star like Anelka in a young club like Shenhua will increase the hopes of the young people and create an example for them to follow.

"It will definitely increase the club's competitiveness."

Shenhua captain Yu Tao writing on Weibo, the Chinese equivalent of Twitter, said: "It's impossible not to be excited by this — a warm welcome to our new team-mate!"

Keeper Wang Dalei added: "Tell Anelka he made his new team-mates really proud!"

Source: thesun.co.uk