Chelsea pay tribute to Nicolas Anelka as striker leaves to join Shanghai Shenhua
Stamford Bridge club says goodbye to the experienced forward, who leaves west London to move to the Chinese Super League after falling out of Andre Villas-Boas' plans
SOURCE: GOAL
Chelsea have paid tribute to departing forward Nicolas Anelka, who leaves the club to join Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua.
The 32-year-old had put in a transfer request to leave the Blues and had been linked with a move to Montreal Impact and West Ham United. But he eventually signed with the Asian side instead, amid reports that he would receive wages of about £200,000-a-week.
A statement on Chelsea's official website reads: "Chelsea Football Club would like to express our thanks and best wishes to Nicolas Anelka who today leaves us to join Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua."
Chelsea was Anelka's fifth club in the Premier League having previously played for Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Bolton Wanderers.
Anelka arrived and Stamford Bridge as former boss Avram Grant's first signing in January 2008, and went on to make 184 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 59 goals in the process.
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