NICOLAS ANELKA last night became West Brom's top earner ever - before he hangs up his boots. 

The French striker, 34, agreed a £5million, two-year Baggies deal which will pocket him £50,000 a week at The Hawthorns.

Anelka's new team-mate Youssouf Mulumbu jumped the gun by tweeting a snap of the Frenchman with an Albion away shirt before the Baggies formally announced the signing. 

The former Chelsea star's deal is for 12 months with another year's option, if he decides to carry on in football. 

However, it is nowhere near the £20m he got from Shanghai Shenhua in December 2011.

But it still beats Baggies' current highest-paid stars - Swede Jonas Olsson and Peter Odemwingie - who are both on £40k a week. 

Anelka said: "I think I will finish in England, I'm happy here. I also hope that it will be with this club. I think this is the right club for me. 

"I'm 34 years old now and I want to enjoy my football. I hope everything will be perfect. 

"I hope we will be successful this year and hopefully we will reach Europe. We will try to do better than last season. 

"That's why I'm here. When I spoke with the head coach, he said he wants to do better than last year. We will try our best to do that." 

Anelka's relationship with Steve Clarke, who he also worked with at Chelsea, proved key in his decision to return to England from his short spell at Juventus. 

He said: "I know the club and I know the head coach, which was very important for me. 

"He knows how to use me on the pitch, which is important later on in your career. 

"I know he likes to play football and that's why I signed here. He knows me and I know him. I also have friends in the changing room."

The sight of Anelka in an Albion shirt may come a relief to the clubs fans, who have previously seen him score five times in seven appearances against his new employers.

He added: "I've always liked West Brom. 

"I have a lot of good memories of playing against West Brom, and now I have to do my best to score for West Brom. 

"When I was playing for Chelsea, it was always tough to beat Albion.

"I don't know which position I will play. As long as I'm playing and enjoying my football, I'm happy. 

Albion boss Clarke said: "This is a great boost. The more quality stars you can bring in the better and no one can question Nicolas' quality. 

"I worked with him at Chelsea. 

"He's got a great work ethic and if you add that to the obvious talent he's got I think he can be a top signing."

Source: The Sun