Hong Kong ( CNN ) -- Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua have pulled off an audacious transfer coup by signing former France international Nicolas Anelka from English team Chelsea . Images of the striker were splashed across the Shanghai team 's official website Monday , together with a statement saying the 32-year-old would be joining the club in January on a two-year contract . The move was later confirmed by Chelsea , who signed Anelka for Â£15 million in 2008 but accepted his transfer request with his current deal to expire at the end of this season . `` This is not only good for Shenhua but also beneficial for Chinese football , '' club spokesperson Ma Yue told CNN . `` The joining of Anelka to Football Association Super League will promote the League 's brand for sure . '' No details were given about how much the contract was worth , but a club official denied reports that Anelka 's weekly salary would be as high as Â£200,000 ( $ 312,000 ) . Anelka has rarely featured for Chelsea this season under new manager Andre Villas-Boas , and was almost certain to leave Stamford Bridge during European football 's January transfer window after asking to leave . The Versailles-born player , who became a Muslim in 2004 , has scored 59 goals in 184 games for the club . Having played for some of Europe 's top teams , including Spain 's Real Madrid and England 's Arsenal and Liverpool , Anelka 's transfers have so far totaled almost $ 133 million , making him one of the world 's most expensive players in those terms . However , his questionable attitude during his early career led to him being nicknamed `` Le Sulk '' at Arsenal and being banned for 45 days at Real after refusing to train . In 2008 , Anelka moved to Chelsea in a Â£15 million deal from Bolton , where he resurrected his career after a short spell in Turkey with Fenerbahce . He helped the London club win the domestic championship in 2009-10 . Anelka 's international career came to a controversial halt during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa , when he was sent home in disgrace after clashing with coach Raymond Domenech . He was given an 18-match ban after refusing to apologize , but said he had already decided to retire from the national team . Reports have also linked Shenhua with another veteran Chelsea striker , Didier Drogba -- a target of Chinese rivals Dalian Aerbin . Meanwhile , Shenhua owner Zhu Jun said last week that former France international Jean Tigana will become the club 's new coach , according to the Shanghai Daily website . `` Tigana should be in the city by the middle of this month . He had already made a one-year coaching plan for the team , '' Zhu said . Shenhua finished 11th in the 16-team Chinese Super League this year , having been runners-up in 2005 , 2006 and 2008 . CNN 's Haolan Hong contributed to this report .
English Premier League side Chelsea confirm Nicolas Anelka will move to China . Shanghai Shenhua earlier claimed to have signed Frenchman on a two-year deal . Images of the 32-year-old were splashed across the Shanghai team 's official website . The striker has rarely featured for Chelsea this season under manager Andre Villas-Boas .