Blackburn sell Samba

Blackburn Rovers have confirmed Chris Samba has completed his move to Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala for an undisclosed fee.
The 27-year-old handed in a transfer request in January and has not played for Rovers since their 2-1 defeat by Stoke at the start of last month.
Samba was allowed to complete the deal because the Russian transfer window did not close until 2000 GMT on Friday.
"I see it [the move] as a new challenge," Samba told Sky Sports News.
"It's a little club who want to become a very big one in Russia. A very powerful owner wants to transform the club and bring the club to greatness."
Samba has joined the growing list of star names signed by the club since billionaire Suleyman Kerimov became owner in January 2011.
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“
He hasn't played for a few weeks and our performances have been exceptional
”
Eric Black
Blackburn Rovers assistant manager
Since then, they have named Guus Hiddink as manager and snapped up players such as Brazil World Cup 2002 winner Roberto Carlos, Chelsea full-back Yuri Zhirkov and Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto'o .
The France-born centre-back joined Rovers in 2007 from Hertha Berlin and made 184 appearances for the Premier League outfit in all competitions, scoring 18 goals. He will wear the number 22 shirt at Anzhi.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Rovers assistant manager Eric Black backed his players to cope in Samba's absence.
He said: "He hasn't played for a few weeks and our performances have been exceptional.
"Obviously there was a blip at Arsenal, but again, you look at the performances against Newcastle, Fulham and QPR and the guys that have been in there have done exceptionally well."
Blackburn travel to Manchester City on Saturday to play the Premier League leaders and sit one place outside the relegation zone in 17th place in the table.
Anzhi are based in Russia's Dagestan republic, which borders Georgia and Azerbaijan. They were founded in 1991 but enjoyed little success until the arrival of Kerimov.
The team's players live and train in Moscow due to security problems in Makhachkala and travel nearly 1,250 miles for home matches.
Anzhi are currently in seventh place in the Russian Premier League. Samba's first league fixture could be on 5 March against Dynamo Moscow when the season recommences after the winter break.


Looks as though hopes of signing him in the Summer have gone.

But then to be honest we need a back up CB.
Not a first choice unless, Colo goes.

 

Personally think we need a first class centre half to go with Colo. Willo is ok at times, Taylor is good but we need to aim higher.

Doubt we would ever have gone for Samba. He's just proved what type of bloke he is by moving to Russia though.

 

I guess your right, bit of a mercenary like Eto'o.
Wonder how much he's on?
Can't believe they have to travel over a 1000 miles to get to the stadium for home matches. LOL

 

Blackburn Rovers have confirmed Chris Samba has completed his move to Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala for an undisclosed fee.

The 27-year-old handed in a transfer request in January and has not played for Rovers since their 2-1 defeat by Stoke at the start of last month.

Samba was allowed to complete the deal because the Russian transfer window did not close until 2000 GMT on Friday.

 

sorry AB?

 

Proved what type of bloke he is? Show me the man who wouldn't double his pay for doing the same job and I'll show you a liar.

 

Agree with Jonny but it's a shame.The Russian's look as if they are going to be spending big in the future.
Hiddink getting 8 mil a year, I wouldnt say no.

 

He would have greatly increased his wages by moving to any other club as well, but they would probably have been decent, in a decent league, and more than likely, in a nicer part of the world. He's clearly just sold out. And at 27. Ridiculous.

 

Blackburn Rovers have confirmed Chris Samba has completed his move to Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala for an undisclosed fee.

The 27-year-old handed in a transfer request in January and has not played for Rovers since their 2-1 defeat by Stoke at the start of last month.

Samba was allowed to complete the deal because the Russian transfer window did not close until 2000 GMT on Friday.

 

Yet again i'm mystified on why this was copied onto this thread.
Am i missing something?

and Jonny like someone said previously he could've played for club in the EPL or Seria A or La Liga, or even the Bundesliga and picked up a nice pay packet.
I would hope for some players it's not all about the money and sometimes about the fans.
Or the love of football.

 

He will be in for a culture shock in Makhachkala, it's not like the rest of Russia. Also having blistering heat in home games and traveling 1000 miles for away games in the cold? Hope it's worth the cash Samba.

 

Anzis team train and live in moscow and travell to anzi for home matches