Martins join Birmingham on loan

Martins (right) spent three years at Newcastle United

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.