Anzhi Makhachkala have confirmed the signing of Ivorian striker Lacina Traore from fellow Russian Premier League side Kuban Krasnodar for an undisclosed fee.

Traore, 22, scored 18 times in his debut season in Russia, following a switch from CFR Cluj last summer, drawing interest from Liverpool in recent months.

Anzhi general director Aivaz Kaziakhmedov said: "Traore's transfer is totally in line with the goals that our club has set this season, achieving the highest possible results in the Russian league as well as in Europe."

The Ivory Coast forward will join fellow African stars Samuel Eto'o and Christopher Samba at the big-spending club, as they look to make themselves into a force capable of challenging for European honours.