Blackburn Rovers says it has reached a deal to sell defender Christopher Samba to big-spending Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala.
The English Premier League club did not provide financial details of the deal, although British media reported the transfer to be worth about 12 million pounds ($A17.73 million).
Samba had been widely expected to leave the club after handing in a transfer request in January, unhappy to be on a team fighting relegation. However, Blackburn manager Steve Kean refused to sell the defender in the January transfer window.
The Russian transfer window closes Friday.
Anzhi has previously signed Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o and hired Guus Hiddink as its coach last week.