Nicolas Anelka to join Atletico Mineiro

Controversial French footballer Nicolas Anelka has agreed terms with his 12th club after Atletico Minerio president Alexandre Kalil confirmed the former international will join the Brazilian topflight outfit. "Anelka is at Galo (Mineiro nickname)," Kalil tweeted on Sunday without adding further details. The 35-year-old was sacked by English Premier League club West Bromwich Albion last month "for gross misconduct" over the quenelle row when he made an alleged anti-semitic gesture after scoring a goal. The Frenchman strenuously denied all allegations of being racist or anti-semitic and said the salute was to show solidarity with his friend, controversial French comedian Dieudonne M'Bala M'Bala. Anelka's contract was set to expire at the end of the season and it had already been reported that he was considering quitting the Hawthorns after growing disillusioned over the controversy surrounding his now infamous use of what many regard as an anti-semitic gesture. He is set to link up with Brazilian star Ronaldinho at Mineiro after previous spells with Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester City, Fenerbahce, Bolton Wanderers and Chelsea amongst his 11 previous clubs. He appeared in 69 matches for France, scoring 14 goals before being thrown out of the 2010 World Cup by his selectors over a foul-mouthed row with then coach Raymond Domenech during a 2-0 group phase defeat to Mexico. He was eventually handed an 18-match ban, effectively ending his international career. Source: AFP