Rubin sharpen strike force with Nelson Valdez

FC Rubin Kazan have moved to sharpen their attacking edge ahead of Tuesday's UEFA Champions League play-off opener with Olympique Lyonnais by signing striker Nelson Valdez from Hércules CF.

Valdez, a Paraguayan international, has signed a three-year-contract with the Russian Premier League side, who have paid a transfer fee believed to be in the region of €4m for the 27-year-old.

A versatile forward who can play up front and as a left winger, Valdez started his career with Club Atlético Tembetary, before a nine-year spell in Germany, where he made over 200 league appearances for SV Werder Bremen and Borussia Dortmund. A move to Hércules last season prompted eight goals in 25 league matches, but they were not enough to spare the club from relegation.

Valdez has also scored 12 goals in 54 international outings, featuring in all five matches during Paraguay's run to the 2010 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals, plus all six last month as they finished runners-up to Uruguay in the Copa América.

Rubin, who lie fifth in the Russian top flight with 34 points from 20 matches, travel to France for their play-off with Lyon on Tuesday, before hosting Rémi Garde's side in the return leg on 24 August.