Atletico Mineiro sign Anelka on a free transfer

The 35-year-old striker has been without a club since being sacked by West Bromwich Albion in relation to his use of the allegedly anti-Semitic gesture, the 'quenelle'

Atletico Mineiro have confirmed the signing of former France international Nicolas Anelka on a free transfer.

The 35-year-old has been without a club since being sacked by West Bromwich Albion last month, after already announcing via a social media site that he was terminating his contract with the club.

According to Atletico Mineiro president Alexandre Kalil, the forward has now agreed to join the Copa Libertadores champions.

"Anelka is a rooster [a reference to the club's nickname]," the Brazil club's supremo wrote on his officialTwitter feed.

Anelka's West Brom exit was sparked by the controversy caused by the striker's use of the 'quenelle' gesture to celebrate a goal against West Ham United at Upton Park in December.

The act, which is allegedly anti-Semitic, resulted in the former Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madid man being banned for five games by the Football Association (FA).

Because of his departure from the Hawthorns, though, Anelka never served the suspension, prompting the FA to request that Fifa make the ban worldwide.

It remains to be seen, though, if the player will have to sit out the first five games of his Atletico Mineiro career.