Rubin make final adjustment for run-in
Monday, September 1, 2008
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Russian league leaders FC Rubin Kazan have signed FC Amkar Perm stalwart Aleksei Popov while FC Lokomotiv Moskva and FC Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast made changes ahead of Sunday's transfer deadline.
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'Something new'
Six points clear of FC Dinamo Moskva at the top of the Russian Premier-Liga table, Rubin have signed long-serving Amkar captain Popov. The 30-year-old defender holds a club record, having played in 372 Russian league games for the club since 1996, scoring nine times. He watched from the stands as Amkar lost 2-1 at home to Rubin at the weekend, and said: "My whole career has been at Amkar but I want to try something new."
Charles heads east
Having allowed Georgian international Malkhaz Asatiani to join UEFA Champions League contenders FC Dynamo Kyiv on loan on Saturday, Lokomotiv filled their defensive midfield gap by giving Charles his first move to Europe. The Moscow club have bought a 70 per cent share of the player's registration from Brazilian side EC Cruzeiro. The 23-year-old has scored six goals in 47 league games for Cruzeiro and has twice been called up by Brazil without making his international debut. "It would be hard to get into the national team by playing in Russia," he said. "But if I play well here the coaches will see me, though the priority is my new club now."
Saturn reshuffle
Meanwhile, Saturn's new German coach Jürgen Röber has returned to his old club to sign 21-year-old Nigerian forward Solomon Okoronkwo on a two-and-a-half year contract. A silver medalist at the Beijing Olympics, he scored four goals in 39 games for Hertha. Saturn have also allowed midfielder Dmitri Polovinchuk to join FC Shinnik Yaroslavl.