Veteran French striker Nicolas Anelka has been snubbed a move to Algeria because he is too old.
The 35-year old former Arsenal, Real Madrid, Manchester City and Chelsea attacker was set to sign with Algiers-based Nasr Athletique d'Hussein-Dey (NAHD) but the Algerian Football Federation have opted not to sanction the move.
"The rules concerning foreign players being allowed to play in the Algerian league are clear," said Mahfoud Kerbadj, the president of the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1.
"Only those aged under 27 and playing on the international level for their countries are allowed to sign up with our clubs."
If the transfer had have been successful, Anelka would have joined his 13th club following a short stint with Mumbai City in the Indian Super League.
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