Russian clubs not going overboard with new signings

MOSCOW: After Russia crashed out of the European Championship in the group stages, the majority of the country’s Premier League clubs have been showing equally modest activity in the transfer market.

Reigning champions CSKA Moscow, who have lost their Nigerian forward Ahmed Musa to English Premier League champions Leicester, have taken lanky Monaco forward Lacina Traore on loan.

The 25-year-old striker, nicknamed the “Gentle Giant” because of his two-metre frame and who played in the Russian League with Kuban Krasnodar in 2011-12 and Anzhi Makhachkala in 2012-13, said he was happy to join the Red Army side.

“I’m happy to become a CSKA player,” the Ivory Coast international told the Moscow club’s website.

“I have already played in this league and saw that CSKA set the tone here. Hopefully our cooperation will be fruitful.”

After Brazilian striker Hulk parted ways with four-time Russian champions Zenit St Petersburg, the club that finished third last season filled the gap by signing Slovakian international midfielder Robert Mak on a four-year deal on Friday.

The 25-year-old Mak has scored seven goals in 30 matches with his national side

On Thursday, Rubin Kazan completed their eighth transfer since Spaniard Javi Gracia took over the club in May.

They signed former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder Alex Song of Cameroon.

“It’s a new round in my career,” Song said.

Russia’s most successful club Spartak Moscow have also bolstered their line-up by signing Brazilian defensive midfielder Fernando from Italy’s Serie A side Sampdoria in a 12mil (RM54mil) move.