Samba completes Anzhi move

Anzhi Makhachkala have completed the signing of Blackburn Rovers defender Christopher Samba for an undisclosed fee.

The 27-year-old has moved on the last day of Russia’s transfer window, having not featured for Rovers since January 2.

The centre-back, who had been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal last season, handed in a transfer request last month, claiming the club’s owners Venky’s failed to deliver on their promise of bolstering the squad with new signings.

Steve Kean initially refused to grant Samba a move away from Ewood Park, a sentiment which was backed by a club statement which highlighted the defender’s contract until June 2015.

Samba links up with former Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink, who was appointed as manager of Anzhi Makhachkala earlier this month.