Birmingham has signed 26-year-old Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins on a six-month loan from the Russian club, Rubin Kazan.

Martins flew to England on Sunday to finalize terms – with the expectation of making a permanent move to St. Andrew’s Stadium in the summer – prior to undergoing a medical examination.

Martins had spent half a season with Kazan after having joined it from Wolfsburg. Formerly, he had scored 39 goals in 105 appearances in English football for Newcastle.

Acting Birmingham chairman Peter Pannu said he is “thrilled” to have acquired Martins.

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