SAM Allardyce was relieved the club's persistence had paid off after Nicolas Anelka signed a four-year deal with Bolton who agreed to pay a club record é8million to Fenerbahce.
The 27-year-old, who has had previous stints in England with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City, successfully completed a medical with Wanderers to become their record signing, the fee dwarfing the previous top mark of é3.5million paid to Wimbledon for Dean Holdsworth in 1997.
The striker will now travel to London to meet his new team-mates ahead of their game with Charlton at The Valley.
Bolton manager Sam Allardyce told the club's official website: "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."
Amazing
"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 (club owner) Eddie Davies and our chairman Phil Gartside.
"It's an unprecedented amount of money for Bolton Wanderers to spend and fully underlines the club's ambition."
The France international, who has had a somewhat controversial career, returns to England after an 18-month stint in Turkey who he joined from Manchester City.#
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Oh dear, oh dear oh dear.
great signing!!!
I have no doubt he will be a massive success....Big Sam will get he very best out of him as he has many times before with the likes of Djorkaeff, Okocha............Well done Sam, Phil & not forgetting Eddie Davies.
Here are the facts from a city fan. Anelka is a big french sulk and undoubtably a loner. He never had any friends in the dressing room while he was at City. His brother runs all his afairs and is the one who gives him all the bad advise. He never smiles and rarely signs autographs for the kids etc. He definately thinks he is a cut above everyone else. Doesn't sound good does it!! Well let me tell you, he is a cut above everyone else. This guy is the only WORLD CLASS striker City have had in the last 20 years. He is a fantastic athlete and a great finisher. In todays climate 8 million is a snip! City have just paid 6 million for a 6 foot 6 kebab. Don't get me wrong he and his family are a handful, but on the field he is a different class. If he didn't have his off field problems he would still be playing for Liverpool or one of the other 'top 4'. As a city fan I hope it doesn't work out, but I would have a big grin on my face if he were back at city instead of Samaras, Vassel, Dickov, Cole, French Tony. This could be the best signing Bolton have made since Kevin Nolan. But then again!!!!!!!!!!
he will be awesome for a while until he gets bored,as a city fan we know these things,great player when he wants to play.
I hope you have a sedan chair! Not sure where you would get one in Bolton???
A four year contaract and Anelka are mutually exclusive.
Deighted he's finally joined the European superclub he believe his talents deserve. He will score some great goals - when he can be bothered - but it will be interesting to see how long he lasts under Big Sam, the master of work ethic.
OH DEAR SAM, YOU WILL REGRET THIS BIG STYLE,HAPPY FOR 3 MONTHS THEN THE SULKS WILL START,
GREAT PLAYER BUT TERRIBLE INFLUENCE AS A TEAM PLAYER, THE BOLTON PLAYERS WONT GET ON WITH HIM THATS CERTAIN.
HEADLINES WHEN IT ALL GOES WRONG IN 12 MONTHS WORSE MOVE I EVER MADE, BOLTON ARE A SMALL TOWN CLUB, I WANT AWAY.
How long will it be until he says something along the lines of "I wish I'd never signed," or "I'm far to good for this place, I should be playing in the Champions' League"? I'll open the bidding and say the start of January.
There may be trouble ahead...
You City men make me laugh, there wouldn't be a hint of jealousy would there??!
As a Bolton fan I am slightly sceptical about 'Le Sulk' and how he'll fit in, etc. However, if there's on manager in the league who's likely to be able to manage him it's ours!
Look at Mr Diouf, I for one thought he'd be off in the summer after Sam dropped him end of last season but he's still there and looking very good due to good man management.
Whilst Anelka may not be around for long, one things for sure we should get a good return on him when / if we sell him. If Andy Johnson flops at Everton can you see anyone paying ¿¿5m for him?? I cant, but I can see a club paying that for Anelka.
Let me think, that prolific 'goal machine' Vassell?? or Anelka?? I think I know which one I'd go for!!!
GET CLUED UP ON THE OFFSIDE RULES, IT WILL ALL END IN TEARS.
Is it Anelka's intention to play at every club in the premiership in between popping off abroad for an 18month break? Read Robbie Fowler s book for an account on The Sulk
Best forward at City since Trevor Francis(and much as I love him,I include the Goat in that).Completely hatstand,however....Woody,you are right-he is far superior(with the exception of a 35-year old Cole)to anything currently at City,but mark my words he will moan his head off at some stage.....
Jealous? Absolutely not. You're welcome to him. He's dressing-room poison.
Sam likes a challenge well this will be, think sams geting bored bringing anelka in will certainly give him heart bumps , a big big mistake and 8m ,you dont spend 8m and risk it. it will end in tears ,think this is all about sams ego how to tame the ultimate rebel, i can see the book coming our very soon.anelka at bolton , i will give it 12 months
We'll see..Woody....We'll see.. ha ha ha
class act. got bored at city cos we were bad. and thats from a blue. trouble is so are bolton - so he will be off soon then......
what another good signing big sam allardyce has made hope he can still score goal like he did for city
hmm anelka and diouf in same line-up?? it will be interesting to say the least however i would pick Dioufy over Le Sulk any day of the week as he works his socks off for the team and gets the crosses in... but now will anelka be on the end of them?
So the incredible sulk meets the incredible bulk, should be some fireworks ahead.
Anelka has got the big club he has dreamed of. I think they made a mistake on the contract it should have been 4 weeks not 4 years.
At least the crowds will go up I,ve heard they,ve sold another 7 season tickets.
Bon chance Bolton you,ll need it.
He just keeps going to bigger and bigger clubs.Look out Accrington your turn will be next.
Nobody at the Reebock is capable of scoring 15 goals a season from open play , now we have signed le sulk that has changed .
If we get one good season out of him , we could finish in the top 6 come May .
Anelka and Diouf in the same team , it should be very interesting season ahead .