Shanghai Shenhua confirm Anelka coup

Chelsea star Nicolas Anelka is to join Shanghai Shenhua on a two-year contract, the club said on Monday, in a huge boost for China’s scandal-hit Super League.The 32-year-old French striker — by far the biggest name yet to sign for a Chinese club — will join next month, Shenhua said in a brief statement that did not mention the value of the deal.“Shanghai Shenhua and Chelsea have reached consensus that French striker Nicolas Anelka will officially join Shanghai Shenhua in January 2012 after the winter transfer window opens,” said the statement on the club’s website. Meanwhile, London side Chelsea also confirmed the transfer of former Arsenal and Real Madrid star Anelka, now set to be the first ex-Premier League player in China’s Super League, in a brief statement on their website.“Chelsea Football Club and Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua have agreed terms for the permanent transfer of Nicolas Anelka in the January transfer window,” Chelsea’s statement said.