Dnipro net Kobakhidze for title charge

Ukrainian Premier League pacesetters FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk have signed Georgia Under-21 midfielder Alexander Kobakhidze from FC Dinamo Tbilisi.

Trial spell
Kobakhidze, 20, impressed enough on trial to earn a four-year deal and become the club's seventh addition of the transfer window. "He is a very quick and aggressive player with a brilliant left foot and the ability to dribble and shoot," said Dnipro coach Oleh Protasov. "I guess I'm not the only one who likes these qualities in a player. However, whether or not he succeeds depends totally on the player himself."

New arrivals
Kobakhidze joins fellow midfielders Mario Holek, Rolan Gusev and Ruslan Rotan in committing their futures to Protasov's side. The defensive duo of Linas Klimavicius and Osmar Ferreyra and striker Ionuţ Mazilu make up the new arrivals. League fixtures resume in March when Dnipro will attempt to extend their two-point lead over nearest challengers FC Shakhtar Donetsk.