Soccer: Barbarouses signs for Russian club

Kosta Barbarouses competes with Mark Milligan. Photo / Getty Images

All Whites striker Kosta Barbarouses has made an ambitious move from A-League soccer champions Brisbane Roar to Russian first division club Alania Vladikavkaz.

The former Wellington Phoenix player, who was limited to just 21 appearances in three seasons under Ricki Herbert, was an instant success once he joined the Roar for the 2010-11 season - he top scored with 12 goals as the Queenslanders clinched their maiden title in March.

The 21-year-old had been trialling in Europe and was released from the two remaining seasons of his Roar contract after concluding negotiations with Alania Vladikavkaz.

His signing was announced on the southern Russian club's website yesterday.

Alania Vladikavkaz were relegated from the Russian premier league last year but are on track for promotion by currently running second at the midway point of the season.

They are also involved in the second-tier 2011-12 Europa League after finishing runners-up in the 2010-11 Russian Cup.

The club is owned by Valery Gazzaev, who coached CSKA Moscow to the 2005 UEFA Cup.

Barbarouses' departure is another blow for the Roar who lost fellow striker Jean Carlos Solorzano to Melbourne Victory soon after the A-League season ended.

"I want to help Alania back in the Premier League of Russian football," said Barbarouses on the club's website.

"There had been proposals from teams in other countries, but the proposal of Alania was the most serious," he said.

- NZPA