Chelsea sign french striker Anelka

LONDON: French striker Nicolas Anelka has joined Chelsea from English Premier League rivals Bolton, the clubs announced Friday.   

France international Anelka joined the London club on a four-and-a-half year deal worth almost 15 million pounds, Sky Sports reported.   

Blues boss Avram Grant said after Chelsea's League Cup semi-final first leg win over Everton on Tuesday that he hoped to clinch a deal in time for Saturday's Premier League clash with Tottenham.   

Chelsea are without Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou, who are away at the African Cup of Nations, while Andriy Shevchenko has an ankle injury.   

Anelka, who signed a new four-year deal with Bolton in August after joining for a club record of eight million pounds from Turkish club Fenerbahce, has scored 11 goals in 22 games this season.   

The 28-year-old has also played for Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City in the Premier League and won the Champions League while at Real Madrid.