Martins joins Birmingham

Birmingham City have signed Nigeria international Obafemi Martins from Russian side Rubin Kazan on a six-month loan deal.

Martins passed a medical at St Andrew’s on Monday and could line up for the Blues as early as Wednesday’s clash with Manchester City.

The 26-year-old, who scored 39 times in 105 appearances with Newcastle United before departing for Wolfsburg in 2009, has agreed to a six-month move with a view to signing a permanent deal in July.

He becomes the Blues’ third signing of the January window after Tottenham winger David Bentley joined on loan and defender Curtis Davies arrived from Aston Villa in a 3.5 million-pound deal.

Birmingham City Acting Chairman Peter Pannu said the West Midlands club was delighted to have achieved their aim of bolstering the squad for the latter half of the season.

“We are thrilled to have secured the three players in this window,” Pannu told the club’s official website.

“It represents a comprehensive strengthening and support for our back four in Curtis, rejuvenation of the midfield in Bentley and further strengthening of the attack line in Martins.”

“I am certain these new additions will augment and supplement what we already have and create some competition within the team for places which benefits the whole squad.”