(Photo: Lokomotiv Moscow)

 Lokomotiv Moscow have reinforced their back-line defence with the official signing of Brain Idowu from Amkar Perm.

 The Nigeria international defender joined the Russian Premier League champions on a three-year deal which will see him stay at the Railwaymen until the summer of June 2021.

Idowu who played all three group matches of the Super Eagles at the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Russia, expressed his delight after completing the transfer move.

"I am very glad to switch to Lokomotiv. I'm really looking forward to joining the team at the training camp," he began on the club's official website.

''In childhood I watched the matches of Loco in the Champions League - against Real and Inter. The whole country was proud of the team!

''I am well acquainted with Aleksandr Kolomeytsev, we played together in Perm, I know the rest of the guys from the matches between Amkar Perm and Lokomotiv Moscow.''

(Photo: Rangers FC)

In a similar story, 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Umar Sadiq has pitched his tent with Rangers on loan from Italia Serie A club AS Roma.

Sadiq will spend the entirety of the 2018-19 season at the Scottish side where he will have the opportunity to work with England and Liverpool legend Steven Gerrad.

The 21 years old who turned out for NAC Breda in the Netherlands on a loan spell in the outgoing term, scoring five times in 12 games, is looking forward to teaming up with Gerrrad.

Speaking with Rangers TV, the lanky striker admitted that the presence of the Liverpool star played a huge role in his decision making to move over to the Ibrox.

“It is very good to be here, it has been good so far and I can’t wait to start. I truly am excited to be joining Rangers, it is a historical club and I can’t wait to play here.

“I found out Rangers were interested in me about a month ago when I was on holiday in Nigeria. I got a phone call from my agent and he told me about Rangers and I said let’s see what happens.

It continued: “He called me about two weeks ago and from there I started changing my mind. To be honest the plan was to stay at Roma this season but when Steven Gerrard calls you can’t say no.

“He told me about the team; even though I already knew about Rangers and that they are the most successful team in the world.

“He told me about the players and said everybody would be at my side if I came here to help me and he would also help me to go forward in my career."