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#INSERT type:image caption:Former Real Madrid and Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka has announced he has joined Mumbai City in the Indian Super League. END# Former Real Madrid and Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka has announced he has joined Mumbai City in the Indian Super League. It had been reported that the 35-year-old, without a club since leaving West Brom following his ban for using the quenelle gesture, has agreed a short-term deal with the new ISL franchise, managed by Peter Reid. "I'm pleased to join Mumbai City FC & very exciting in joining Indian Super League," Anelka wrote on Twitter. "Talented international players & top Indian talent will make matches thrilling affairs. "I look forward to using my ability to do well for my team in the matches we will play." Anelka, capped 69 times by France, began his career with Paris Saint-Germain before joining Arsenal as a youngster, going on to play for Real Madrid, Manchester City, Fenerbahce, Bolton, Chelsea, Shanghai Shenhua, Juventus and West Brom in an often nomadic career marked by highs and lows. Anelka is one of a number of high-profile players attracted by the pay day on offer in India, with his former Arsenal teammates Robert Pires and Freddie Ljungberg -- as well as Alessandro del Piero and David Trezeguet -- among the others. The eight-team ISL kicks off Oct. 12. FIFA was asked by the English Football Association in March to ensure Anelka's ban was applied worldwide if he tried to sign for another club. FIFA was unable to comment on Anelka's playing status on Monday, which is a public holiday in its home city Zurich. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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