Russian Premier League leaders FC Zenit St. Peterburg have signed Slovakia defender Martin Škrtel from AS Trencín.

International breakthrough
The 19-year-old has agreed a three-year contract with the option of a further 12 months if all goes well. Škrtel is an established Under-21 international but broke into the senior team on Slovakia's trip to Japan earlier this month. He played both games as they lost 3-1 to Japan and 2-0 to Serbia and Montenegro. Škrtel moved to Trencín in 2003 from HFK Prievidza, and made 34 appearances last season.