Anzhi Makhachkala’s defense has been boosted, after Russian international, Andrey Eschenko, moved to the club from Lokomotiv Moscow.

According to Anzhi’s official website, the club and Eschenko have signed a long-term deal, with no further details revealed.

The 29-year-old has already arrived in Dubai where his new team are preparing for the restart of the Russian football season, scheduled for March.

“I’m very happy to become a part of such club as Anzhi.I hope I’ll able to make myself useful in the Dagestan side,”Eschenko told fc-anzhi.ru. “I have no doubts about the decision I’ve made. I’m sure that working with such a coach as Guus Hiddink – who greeted me so warmly – and such famous players as Roberto Carlos and Samuel Eto’o will became a great experience, which will help me grow.”  

“I also want to thank the administration of Lokomotiv football club, the players and fans, whose support I always felt playing for Loko,” he added.

Besides Lokomotiv, Eschenko has competed for a number of Russian and Ukrainian clubs, with Dynamo Moscow and Dynamo Keiv being the most notable of the lot.

The defender made his début in the Russian national team this Autumn under Fabio Capello, already making four appearances in his country’s jersey.

Anzhi's Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez (L) and Lokomotiv's Andrei Yeshchenko in the 15th round of the Russian Football Premier League (RIA Novosti / Iliya Pitalev)

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