French striker Nicolas Anelka will not feature in West Bromwich Albion's Premier League game against Everton on Saturday after being excused on compassionate grounds, the club said.
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Anelka wrote on his Facebook page later on Thursday: "I've just learned with deep sadness the death of mister Eric Manasse. I can't find the words to express my huge grief and I wanted to pay condolences to the Manasse family after this tragic death."
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Manasse was a Fifa-registered agent Anelka has worked with.
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The 34-year-old Anelka joined West Brom, his sixth Premier League club, on a free transfer last month and featured in their opening game defeat at the hands of Southampton on Saturday.
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He moved to Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua from Chelsea in January 2012 but did not settle and went out on loan at Juventus.
Nicola Anelka is a fantastic footballer. So he'll definately do well in clubs all around Nigeria. He plays well, that's a fact!