By Mark Heys
August 25 2006

Bolton Wanderers have smashed their transfer record by paying Fenerbahce a fee of £8 million for French international striker Nicolas Anelka. The 27-year old moves back to English football after an 18-month exile and the high profile transfer ends Sam Allardyce's long and painful search for a proven Premiership goalscorer.

Anelka, who's CV boasts spells with Paris Saint Germain, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester City and Fenerbahce, penned a four year deal with the club late last night after weeks of transfer negotiations.

Wanderers chief Sam Allardyce beleives that he has aquired a player who was born to score goals and he has thanked the clubs board for backing him with the necessary funding to bring in a top goalscorer.

"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."

"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." said Allardyce to the official website.

Anelka will travel down to London with the rest of the Bolton squad for their game against Charlton Athletic but it remains to be seen if he will actually play some part at The Valley.

Walking Down The Manny Road would like to welcome Nicolas to Bolton Wanderers