Birmingham 'sign Obafemi Martins on loan from Rubin

Birmingham have signed Obafemi Martins on a six-month loan, according to his Russian club Rubin Kazan.

Rubin coach Kurban Berdiyev said: "His child was born, and he asked to let him go to England, because Obafemi wants to be closer to his family."

The 26-year-old Nigeria striker spent three years with Newcastle United.

Martins, who has also played for Italian side Inter Milan and German outfit Wolfsburg, scored 39 goals in 105 games for the Mapgies.

The player's agent told BBC Sport's Oluwashina Okeleji that West Bromwich Albion had offered the same money as Birmingham for his signature.

"Few things separated the interested parties but we are confident the right choice was made," said Nicolas Walter.

"Everything concerning the paperwork should be sorted in couple of days."

Martins only joined Rubin at the end of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa but he failed to settle after his big money move from Wolfsburg.

The forward, who started his career at Nigerian side FC Ebedei, attracted interest from the Middle East but has opted for a return to England.

From BBC Football

Not the type of the striker we need at The Albion,so not too disappointed.Look like we might be getting Carlos Vela on loan,that would make me happy!

As a Toon fan, always loved Oba, but he's very hit and miss!

as a result Phillips may be allowed to leave, please come to Bristol City!!!!

Jon Stead is out for 2 months

Not a bad signing but he's very inconsistent isn't he?

Birmingham seem to be very busy in the transfer market at the moment! Not their best signing in my opinion, I doubt he'll make an impact.

He will add some much needed pace to the front line and he will hold the ball up better than Jerome.

Definitely a panic buy, i can't believe they bid for Ameobi!

Martins :lol!:

5-1 :lol!:

Wembley here we come wrote:He will add some much needed pace to the front line and he will hold the ball up better than Jerome.

Agreed. We need someone to compete for headers a bit more, particularly as Bentley is putting some decent stuff into the box

FootyKnowItAll wrote: I doubt he'll make an impact.

To be fair though even Ronnie Rosenthal would have knocked that one in.

Hero wrote:To be fair though even Ronnie Rosenthal would have knocked that one in.

You could say that, but you still had to be in the right place to knock it in. I disagree with all of the above posters. I was at the game and Martins had a major impact when he came on. In less than 15 minutes he came pretty close to getting 3 goals. I reckon he is an excellent buy for Blues

[quote="Noshankingtonite"]

Hero wrote:To be fair though even Ronnie Rosenthal would have knocked that one in.

However, being in the right place at the right time is a skill in itself