Rubin entice Kuzmin from Lokomotiv

FC Rubin Kazan have strengthened their defensive options ahead of a second successive UEFA Champions League group stage campaign by signing full-back Oleg Kuzmin on a three-year deal from FC Lokomotiv Moskva.

Kuzmin, a former Russia Under-21 captain, has joined for an undisclosed fee having made ten Premier League appearances for Lokomotiv this season. The 29-year-old, who began his career at FC Spartak Moskva, had spells at FC Uralan Elista, FC Chernomorets Novorossiysk and FC Moskva before linking up with Lokomotiv for the start of the 2009 campaign.

Rubin will discover the make-up of their UEFA Champions League group when the draw is made in Monaco on 26 August. Lokomotiv will learn the identity of their UEFA Europa League play-off opponents at Friday's ceremony in Nyon.