Chelsea have signed Bolton striker Nicolas Anelka in a deal worth £15m.
The French international has signed a four-and -a-half year contract and will be eligible to play in Saturday’s home game against Spurs.
Bolton had turned down a £12m bid from Chelsea earlier in the week, but when Chelsea returned with an improved offer, the struggling Premier League outfit agreed to sell the 28-year-old.
A statement on Chelsea’s official website read: “Chelsea Football Club and Bolton Wanderers can confirm that terms have been agreed between the clubs for the transfer of Nicolas Anelka.”
With Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou also away on international duty and Andrii Shevchenko injured, boss Avram Grant was left with Claudio Pizzaro as his only available striker.
Bolton boss Gary Megson earlier said: “I have spoken about the situation with Nic and we agreed there is not a massive amount he or I can do.
“It is just as to whether the clubs can reach an agreement. I am still hopeful they can’t and he stays here. But that remains to be seen.
“However, the deal has to suit all the parties – the selling club, the buying club and the person involved.”
Anelka joined Bolton in 2006 from Turkish club Fenerbahce for a club record £8m.
