Anzhi signing Christopher Samba has explained his decision to leave QPR.

Samba met with QPR ­chairman Tony Fernandes after Anzhi made an offer too good to refuse.

"I was getting mentally ­prepared for the battle in the Championship to come back up," said central ­defender Samba who has signed a three-year deal in Russia.

"Tony Fernandes is a great man. Tony wanted to keep me and help him back up, but I believe the offer from Russia was too good to let it pass by.

"I was not planning to go anywhere. I wanted to reward the club for their support by helping them come back up."