Chelsea Football Club

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Rafael Benitez

• Ground:Stamford Bridge
• Capacity:42440

Blues seal Anelka capture

11 Jan 2008 - 12:48:44

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Chelsea have completed the signing of Bolton Wanderers striker Nicolas Anelka for a fee believed to be £15million.

The 28-year-old France striker had been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge since the summer and has now put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half year contract with his new club.

"Chelsea Football Club and Bolton Wanderers can confirm that terms have been agreed between the clubs for the transfer of Nicolas Anelka," confirmed a brief Chelsea statement.

The Blues had seen a £12million offer for the well-travelled former Arsenal, Real Madrid, Paris St Germain and Fenerbahce striker rejected by Wanderers on Monday.

But speaking earlier in the week, Chelsea coach Avram Grant was confident of securing the services of the Frenchman ahead of this weekend's Premier League clash with Tottenham.

Anelka, who joined Bolton for a club record £8million fee from Fenerbahce in 2006, has netted 11 times this season.

"We have confirmed our interest in Anelka. We wanted him for today and I hope that he will now get him for Saturday," said Grant.

"We are missing three strikers so it's important to do something quickly."

Chelsea are currently short of attacking options with Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou representing Ivory Coast at the African Cup of Nations, while Andriy Shevchenko is on the sidelines through injury.