Anelka deal signals new superpower rising in East

HE HAS felt the fury of a Bosphoros battle and the passion of a north London derby, but little in Nicolas Anelka’s travels will have prepared him for his groundbreaking move to Chinese soccer.

The Frenchman will become the biggest name to ply his trade in the world’s most populous nation when he takes up his new post as striker for Shanghai Shenhua in January.

The Super League club agreed terms for the Chelsea player for a two-year deal, Shanghai Shenhua said yesterday.