Anelka's new deal shows our ambition - Lee - Sport

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And Lee believes his club's ability to keep Anelka will send a message of intent out to their Barclays Premier League rivals about the levels of ambition at the Reebok Stadium.

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Staying put: Nicolas Anelka

Lee said: "Nicolas is unique and that is why it was so important for everybody at this club that we kept him. There are not many players like Nicolas around.

"Nicolas has always showed full commitment to this football club.

"We can't prevent speculation but for him to reiterate that commitment today was superb for everybody.

"If anybody had any doubts about our ambition they certainly would have been allayed by what has gone on this week at this football club."

Despite being linked with countless other clubs, the 28-year-old Anelka - who signed for a club record £8million one year ago - said it did not take him long to decide to stay.

"I seem to have been linked with every club in the country of late but my heart is with Bolton," said Anelka.

"Signing a new contract was not a difficult decision. Hopefully we will prosper together because I would not have remained at Bolton if I thought we could not win trophies."

Lee will also hope Anelka's deal will end suggestions that his strike partner El-Hadji Diouf is set to leave before the transfer window shuts.

Lee added: "El-Hadji has showed his commitment and has been fantastic. The fact that he didn't start the first game really spurred him on and that is what any manager wants."

However, Lee confirmed he is resigned to losing defender Abdoulaye Faye, who is keen to link up with his former boss Sam Allardyce at Newcastle.

"We made the lad a very good offer but apparently he has had a better offer and I think he is going," said Lee. "But I know we did everything to try to keep him."

Meanwhile, Lee has added experienced Scot Archie Knox to his backroom staff as a coaching co-ordinator.

He added: "The fact we've added Archie speaks volumes for the direction of this football club."