• Serie A

Juventus sign Anelka on short-term deal

Nicolas Anelka has joined Juventus © Getty Images

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Juventus director general Giuseppe Marotta has confirmed the club's signing of Nicolas Anelka on a loan deal until the end of the season.

Anelka, 33, is contracted to Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua, but with their season running through the summer months, the Turin club have taken advantage of the opportunity and snapped up the striker on a five-month deal.

The former Chelsea man will provide short-term cover for the Bianconeri as they await the June signing of Fernando Llorente from Athletic Bilbao.

And Marotta claims Anelka's arrival signals the end of the club's business in the January transfer window.

"Anelka? In July we made some targeted investments, but now we are in an emergency situation in attack, so we moved to fix those issues, even if it is not official yet," Marotta told Sky Sport Italia. "It can be a good move for the short-term, then at the end of the season we'll evaluate what must be done. He is filling a hole. It is a five-month contract with an option for the second season, if things go well.

"Anelka's arrival rules out any other transfers, because in this stage of the transfer window there are no other opportunities. He will put himself at the disposal of the squad and it'll be up to Antonio Conte to decide how to use him. After all, he is not in great physical condition considering he hasn't played for a month."

Anelka, who will undergo a medical on Monday, is over the moon at the prospect of joining the Serie A champions.

"I am delighted to have arrived at Juve," he said.

The former France international will reportedly be paid a small basic salary in a contract laden with incentives. Gazzetta dello Sport believe he will sign a five-month deal worth €600,000 with a €200,000 bonus if he plays at least 12 games, another €200,000 if Juve win the Scudetto and a further €300,000 if they win the Champions League.

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