Ex-Arsenal and Chelsea star lands intriguing new role after three years away from football

Former Arsenal and Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka is set for a new job after three years away from football. Anelka was a feared forward during his playing days, enjoying four years at Chelsea from 2008, scoring 38 goals in 125 league games, while he spent two years with Arsenal from 1997.

He later enjoyed a spell with West Brom, but he was best known for his days with the Blues and with Arsenal and Bolton Wanderers before his Stamford Bridge arrival. Anelka retired after a spell with Mumbai City in 2015, and he went on to take up more senior roles, joining Hyeres as a sports director in 2021 for a brief spell which was interrupted due to COVID.

Now, after three years after his last role, the 44-year-old has taken up a CEO role with Turkish club Ümraniyespor, who play in the second tier of Turkish football. Ümraniyespor were in the top tier last season, but they suffered relegation after finishing 17th in the 19-team division.

The club confirmed the news by saying: Welcome, Profesor! Our club has reached an agreement with Nicolas Anelka for the position of CEO. We welcome Nicolas Anelka and wish him success." The Turkish club are currently 12th in the second division, nine points from the playoff spots as things stand.