Chelsea star Nicolas Anelka is to join Shanghai Shenhua on a two-year contract, the club said Monday, in a huge boost for China's Super League.

The 32-year-old French striker, by far the biggest name yet to sign for a Chinese club, will join next month, Shenhua said in a brief statement that did not mention the value of the deal.

"Shanghai Shenhua and Chelsea have reached consensus that French striker Nicolas Anelka will officially join Shanghai Shenhua in January 2012 after the winter transfer window opens," said the statement on the club's website.

Meanwhile London side Chelsea also confirmed the transfer of former Arsenal and Real Madrid star Anelka, now set to be the first ex-Premier League player in China's Super League, in a brief statement.

"Chelsea Football Club and Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua have agreed terms for the permanent transfer of Nicolas Anelka in the January transfer window," the statement said.

It said, "Since arriving from Bolton Wanderers in January 2008, the 32-year-old Frenchman has scored 59 goals in 185 games for Chelsea."

Chelsea too refused to disclose the worth of the deal, although there have been media reports that Anelka would more than double his current weekly salary to 200,000 pounds ($313,000).

But Ma Yue, spokesman for Shanghai Shenhua poured cold water on these claims.

"I cannot confirm his salary at the moment. I can just say the final amount could be different from 200,000 pounds," he told AFP, refusing to give further details.