Brazil's Atletico Mineiro says it's signing Anelka

Associated Press

SAO PAULO (AP) — The president of Brazilian club Atletico Mineiro says he has reached a deal to sign former France striker Nicolas Anelka.

Alexandre Kalil said on his official Twitter account that "Anelka belongs to Galo," the Portuguese word for rooster, which is the team's nickname. Atletico Mineiro's website confirmed the president's tweet on Sunday.

Atletico Mineiro is the defending champion of the Copa Libertadores, Latin America's most important club competition.

Anelka, 35, was without a club since West Bromwich said it fired him in March following a five-match suspension for a racially aggravated goal celebration. The striker said he was the one who terminated his contract with the Premier League club.

Anelka was suspended for performing a gesture that is known in France as a "quenelle" and regarded as anti-Semitic.