Blues take Martins on loan

Birmingham City have completed the signing of Obafemi Martins on loan for the remainder of the season.

The Nigeria international has completed his temporary move from Rubin Kazan after obtaining a work permit.
He becomes City's third signing of the transfer window after winger David Bentley joined on loan from Tottenham Hotspur and central defender Curtis Davies arrived from Aston Villa in a £3.5m deal.

City's acting chairman, Peter Pannu, told the club's official website: "We are thrilled to have secured the three players in this window.
"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."

Been Determined

Blues manager Alex McLeish has been determined to sign a striker with proven Barclays Premier League experience and Martins fits that bill.
During a three-year spell with Newcastle United, he scored 39 goals in 105 appearances for the Magpies.
His form with Newcastle earned him a £9m move to German champions Wolfsburg in August 2009.
After a year in the Bundesliga, where he scored six times in 16 appearances, he was on the move again to link up with Russian Premier Liga champions Rubin Kazan in a deal in the region of 17m euros.
On the international stage, Martins has scored 18 times in 38 matches for Nigeria.
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