Signed from Clairefontaine, the famous French youth academy, the now 37-year old featured ten times for PSG, scoring one goal, before moving to Arsenal in February 1997.
His spell in England was a short one and he left for pastures new after two years to join Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Although he only lasted a season at the Santiago Bernabeu, Anelka picked up a Champions League winners medal for the 1999/2000 and scored vital goals against Bayern Munich in the semi-finals.
Nicolas returned to his boyhood club for the 2000/01 season but, again, his spell was only a short one and was split due to a loan move to Liverpool.
Gérard Houllier decided not to offer him a permanent deal after the end of the 2001/02 season and his move to City was confirmed in May 2002.
Kevin Keegan paid £13million for the French striker, which was then a Club record, and he was a big hit with him finishing City’s top goalscorer with 14 goals, including a goal in the last ever Manchester derby at Maine Road.
His second season, and City’s first at the Etihad Stadium, was a success as well as he finished top goalscorer again with 25 goals.
The 2004/05 campaign, his final season with the Club, saw him notch seven goals prior to his move to Fenerbache, including the winning goal against Chelsea in October 2004 which was Jose Mourinho’s first loss as their manager.
Further spells at Bolton, Chelsea, Shanghui Shenhua, Juventus (loan) and West Brom followed before Anelka secured a move to India to ply his trade for Mumbai City in September 2014, where he is now player/manager.
