Defender Christopher Samba seals his move to Anzhi Makhachkala

Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala confirmed the signing of Congolese defender Chris Samba from Blackburn for an undisclosed fee. His shirt number at the new club will be 22.

Although reports in the English press suggested the Russians paid £12 million for the player, Anzhi representatives insist the fee was much lower.

The 27-year-old has not played since January’s 2-1 defeat by Stoke after handing in a transfer request.

«I see it [the move] as a new challenge. It’s a little club who want to become a very big one in Russia. A very powerful owner wants to transform the club and bring the club to greatness,» Samba told Sky Sports News.

The France-born centre-back joined Rovers in 2007 from Hertha Berlin and made 184 appearances for the club, scoring 18 goals.