Post by Liam O'Reilly on Aug 25, 2006 11:44:07 GMT
Bolton Wanderers have finalised the club record signing of Nicolas Anelka from Fenerbahce.
Just as Trotters boss Sam Allardyce was growing frustrated in his pursuit of the France international, the club have struck a deal to bring the striker back to The Premiership.
Turkish outfit Fenerbahce have accepted an £8 million offer from Bolton, with Anelka signing a four-year contract at The Reebok Stadium.
He passed a medical on Thursday and Allardyce expressed his joy at finally concluding his move for the 27-year-old.
"Patience is a virtue, and I am pleased to say that all the waiting and hard work we've done behind the scenes has paid off," Allardyce told the club's official website.
"Nicolas is a player with an amazing track record in The Premiership; he was born to score goals. His talent and experience will be a valuable asset for us.
"I'd also like to thank Eddie Davies (club owner) and our Chairman Phil Gartside. It's an unprecedented amount of money for Bolton Wanderers to spend and fully underlines the club's ambition."
Anelka first moved to The Premiership as a teenager when he joined Arsenal from Paris Saint Germain in February 1997.
After two years at Highbury, the quick-silver front man joined Real Madrid, but failed to settle and rejoined PSG in the summer of 2000.
He returned to England with Liverpool on loan for the second half of the 2001/02 season before Manchester City paid £13 million for his services.
A regular scorer with City, Anelka was tempted to Turkey 18 months ago, but is now back in The Premiership with Bolton, who overcame competition from Portsmouth to finalise the player's capture.
Anelka could make his Bolton debut against Charlton Athletic on Saturday and his arrival eclipses the previous club record £3.5 million paid to Wimbledon for Dean Holdsworth almost nine years ago.
Just as Trotters boss Sam Allardyce was growing frustrated in his pursuit of the France international, the club have struck a deal to bring the striker back to The Premiership.
Turkish outfit Fenerbahce have accepted an £8 million offer from Bolton, with Anelka signing a four-year contract at The Reebok Stadium.
He passed a medical on Thursday and Allardyce expressed his joy at finally concluding his move for the 27-year-old.
"Patience is a virtue, and I am pleased to say that all the waiting and hard work we've done behind the scenes has paid off," Allardyce told the club's official website.
"Nicolas is a player with an amazing track record in The Premiership; he was born to score goals. His talent and experience will be a valuable asset for us.
"I'd also like to thank Eddie Davies (club owner) and our Chairman Phil Gartside. It's an unprecedented amount of money for Bolton Wanderers to spend and fully underlines the club's ambition."
Anelka first moved to The Premiership as a teenager when he joined Arsenal from Paris Saint Germain in February 1997.
After two years at Highbury, the quick-silver front man joined Real Madrid, but failed to settle and rejoined PSG in the summer of 2000.
He returned to England with Liverpool on loan for the second half of the 2001/02 season before Manchester City paid £13 million for his services.
A regular scorer with City, Anelka was tempted to Turkey 18 months ago, but is now back in The Premiership with Bolton, who overcame competition from Portsmouth to finalise the player's capture.
Anelka could make his Bolton debut against Charlton Athletic on Saturday and his arrival eclipses the previous club record £3.5 million paid to Wimbledon for Dean Holdsworth almost nine years ago.