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NICOLAS
ANELKA
Nicolas Anelka became the first signing under Avram Grant's management when completed his transfer on Friday 11 January 2008.
He signed a three-and-a-half year deal and his reported fee means that more money has been spent on transferring Nicolas over the course of his career than on any other player in football history.
He was a transfer window move from Bolton where he had already scored 11 times in 22 appearances this season.
Anelka began his career at Paris St-Germain, before making a move to Arsenal as a 17-year-old in early 1997.
At Highbury, the youngster demonstrated his explosive pace and finishing ability, helping the team to the Double in 1998, scoring in the FA Cup final victory over Newcastle.
A year later, Real Madrid offered £23 million for his services, enough to tempt both Arsenal and Anelka to accept the bid, and in his only season in Spain, he claimed the Champions League trophy, again scoring in the final as Madrid ran out 3-0 winners over Valencia.
Anelka was a key member of the France side that lifted the 2000 European Championship and part of the squad that qualified for Euro 2008.
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