West Brom striker Nicolas Anelka has cleared out his locker and walked out of training at West Bromwich Albion as confusion surrounds his future in the game.
Anelka is believed to have lost someone close to him and has been deliberating his future in football over the past 48 hours.
The club confirmed that the striker was excused from this weekend's match against Everton on 'compassionate grounds'.
In action: Nicolas Anelka (left) tries to nick the ball away from Southampton's Dejan Lovren
Recent addition: Anelka (left) took part in West Brom's pre-season game against Bologna
NICOLAS ANELKA TRANSFERS
PSG to Arsenal £0.5m
Arsenal to Real Madrid £22.3m
Real Madrid to PSG £20m
PSG to Liverpool (loan)
PSG to Manchester City £13.m
Manchester City to Fenerbahce £7m
Fenerbahce to Bolton £8m
Bolton to Chelsea £15m
Chelsea to Shangai Shenhua Free
Shangai Shenhua to Juventus Free
Juventus to West Brom Free
A club statement issued on Thursday afternoon read: 'West Bromwich Albion can confirm that Nicolas Anelka will not be involved in Saturday’s game at Everton.
'The club have excused the striker from club duty on compassionate grounds.'
The dramatic events come just 49 days after the former Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea striker joined the club.
Anelka, 34, has had a stellar career but wanted to return to the Premier League following an ill-fated move to China with Shanghai Shenhua.
But now it seems he has turned his back on English football altogether - after just one competitive game for his new club - in traumatic circumstances.
He is believed to have gone to training this morning and cleared his locker.
He spoke with West Brom's sporting and technical director Richard Garlick before leaving the Baggies' training ground.
It appears that he has been mulling over the decision for the past two days but made his mind up this morning.
Main man: Anelka has spent less than 50 days at the Midlands club
Man of many clubs: Anelka has played for a number of teams, including Manchester City (left) and Fenerbahce
Anelka was used in a more withdrawn role, behind Shane Long, in the opening game of the season against Southampton on Saturday.
The former France forward struggled to impact the game as Steve Clarke's side went down 1-0.
Premier League stalwart: Anelka also spent time at Bolton (left) and Chelsea (right)
Ill-fated: Anelka struggled to make an impact while at Juventus, while on loan from Shanghai Shenhua (right)
First of many: Anelka left Arsenal for Real Madrid in 1999
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