Anelka back in the Premier League as striker seals one-year deal with West Brom

West Brom have confirmed the signing of former France striker Nicolas Anelka.
The 34-year-old, who was a free agent, has signed an initial one-year contract at the Hawthorns.
The club confirmed on Twitter: 'Albion have tonight completed the signing of @anelkaofficiel on a one-year deal, with a further year's option in the club's favour.'

Done deal: Youssouf Mulumbu posted this picture of Nicolas Anelka holding the West Brom shirt on Thursday

Baggies head coach Steve Clarke, who worked with Anelka for a short time at Chelsea, is delighted with the signing.
'We are missing a bit of firepower from last year - we're trying to put that right - and to kick off with the signing of Nicolas at the start of the summer is a great boost for everyone at the club,' he told wba.co.uk.
'The sole focus at the club is trying to build on what we did last season.
'The more quality players you can bring to the club the better - and no-one can question Nicolas' quality.
'He's a player I have worked with before as I was at Chelsea when they signed him.

Journeyman: Anelka has played for Chelsea, Bolton, Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal

Youngster: Anelka burst onto the Premier League stage with Arsenal in 1997, and was sold two years later

'He's got a great work ethic, looks after himself and is a consummate professional.
'If you add that to the obvious talent he's got I think he can prove to be a really top signing for the club.
'His experience with some of the top clubs in England and Europe will stand the group in good stead.
'Hopefully he will be able to inspire the other players to even greater heights than we managed to achieve last year.'
The Baggies are Anelka's sixth Barclays Premier League club after he represented Arsenal, Manchester City, Bolton and Chelsea and had a spell on loan at Liverpool.
He signed for Shanghai Shenhua at the start of last season but finished the campaign back in European football with Juventus.

He has also played for Paris St Germain, Real Madrid and Fenerbahce and won 69 caps for his country, scoring 14 goals. He has not played for Les Bleus since the 2010 World Cup.

On his arrival at the club, new team-mate Youssouf Mulumbu Tweeted a picture of Anelka with the message 'Welcome Mr Anelka in West Brom and all the best.'

NICOLAS ANELKA: A TIMELINE

1979: Born Versailles, France, March 27.

1996: September - Makes Paris St Germain debut at 17.
December - Scores twice on debut for French Under-20 team against Denmark.

1997: Joins Arsenal for £500,000, much to the outrage of PSG.

1998: Scores in 2-0 FA Cup final win against Newcastle to secure double for Arsenal but misses out on place in France World Cup squad.

1999: February 10 - Scores twice for France in 2-0 friendly win against England at Wembley.

August - Joins Real Madrid for £22million after convoluted transfer wrangle involving Lazio and Juventus.

2000: Wins Champions League with Real but after an unhappy time at the club - which included a refusal to train - he moves back to PSG for £22million. Wins Euro 2000 with France.

2001: December - Makes loan move to Liverpool.

2002: Moves to Manchester City after Liverpool decide against a permanent deal. Misses out on place in World Cup squad.

November - Refuses a late call-up by France to face Yugoslavia in a friendly international sparking a long dispute with manager Jacques Santini.

2003: May - Finishes the season as City's top scorer with 15 league goals to his name.

2004: May - Again finishes top of City's scoring charts, with an improved league return of 17 goals in 32 matches. However, Anelka misses out on selection for Euro 2004.

2005: January - Joins Fenerbahce for £7million.

2006: August 25 - Joins Bolton in club record £8million deal.

2007: May - Scores 12 goals in 39 appearances in his first season at the Reebok Stadium.

2008: January 11 - Bolton confirm Anelka has joined Chelsea for £15million.
May 8 - Sees his penalty saved as Chelsea lose Champions League final to Manchester United courtesy of a shootout.
June - Part of France's Euro 2008 squad, but starts only one game as Les Bleus crash out after the group stage.

2009: May 24 - Nets in Chelsea's 3-2 win over Sunderland on the last day of the season to be confirmed as the Premier League's top scorer for the season with 19 goals.
May 30 - Plays in Chelsea's 2-1 FA Cup final win over Everton.

2010: May 9 - Scores twice as Chelsea secure Premier League title by beating Wigan 8-0.

June 19 - Sent home from World Cup after refusing to apologise for rant at coach Raymond Domenech.

August 5 - Admits his "head was gone" during the row with Domenech - but denies swearing at him.

August 16 - French Football Federation impose an 18-game suspension on Anelka, after which the striker declares he will never represent his country again.

2011: May - Scores just six league goals as Chelsea finish the season nine points behind champions Manchester United.
December 12 - Chelsea announce they have agreed terms with Shanghai Shenhua for the sale of Anelka to the Chinese club in January's transfer window.

2013: January 26 - Anelka joins Juventus on a five-month deal but plays only three matches, two in Serie A and one in the UEFA Champions League.

July 4 - Makes his return to the Premier League signing a one-year deal with West Brom.