• Premier League

Birmingham announce Martins loan

ESPN staff
January 31, 2011
Obafemi Martins enjoyed a spell at Newcastle between 2006-9 © PA Photos
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Birmingham City have confirmed the loan signing of Obafemi Martins from Rubin Kazan, after the Nigerian striker passed a medical at St Andrew's.

Martins, 26, flew in from Russia on Sunday night to finalise personal terms on the deal, with a view to a permanent move to the Premier League club in the summer.

Birmingham have been granted a new work permit for the former Newcastle United forward, who left England to join German club Wolfsburg in 2009. During a three-year spell with the Magpies from 2006-09 he scored 39 goals in 105 appearances.

He lasted just a year in Germany before moving on to Rubin for a reported fee of €17million and, having failed to settle at the club, has now decided to return to England.

"We are thrilled to have secured the three players in this window, which represents a comprehensive strengthening and support for our back four," Blues' acting chairman Peter Pannu said.

"Following the signings of Curtis Davies and David Bentley, we have further strengthened with Martins."

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has been desperate to bring in a new striker throughout January, having already failed to sign Robbie Keane from Tottenham and Kenny Miller from Rangers.

Following speculation concerning Sebastian Larsson's future at Blues, Pannu added: "Although Seb's agent had failed to reach any agreement with Newcastle and Villa , their loss may be our gain as hopefully closer to the window, we can sit down with Seb again and with the market tested by his agent, we can finally come to a sensible agreement."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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