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Blackburn Rovers have confirmed Chris Samba has completed his move to Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala for an undisclosed fee.
The 27-year-old handed in a transfer request in January and has not played for Rovers since their 2-1 defeat by Stoke at the start of last month.
Samba was allowed to complete the deal because the Russian transfer window did not close until 2000 GMT on Friday.
"I see it [the move] as a new challenge," Samba told Sky Sports News.
"It's a little club who want to become a very big one in Russia. A very powerful owner wants to transform the club and bring the club to greatness."
Samba has joined the growing list of star names signed by the club since billionaire Suleyman Kerimov became owner in January 2011.