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Khizanishvili moves to Newcastle

Posted on September 17, 2009 at 11:03 AM.

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Khizanishvili joined Rovers from Rangers in July 2006 for £500,000

Newcastle United have signed defender Zurab Khizanishvili from Blackburn Rovers on a three-month loan deal.

The Georgian, 27, had been a first-choice under former bosses Mark Hughes and Paul Ince but has struggled under current manager Sam Allardyce.

Magpies caretaker boss Chris Hughton told the club website: "Zurab is an experienced defender and we are pleased to have him on board.

"He knows English football very well and will be a welcome addition."

The Georgia international, who has 55 caps, is comfortable at full-back or centre-half and goes straight into the Magpies squad for the visit of Plymouth Argyle to the North East on Saturday.

Newcastle are short of defensive cover with just Fabricio Coloccini and Steven Taylor available as senior professionals at centre-back, while Danny Simpson has filled in, along with Thomas Kadar and Ben Tozer in reserve.

It was with Dundee that Khizanishvili first came to prominence in British football, earning himself a move to Scottish giants Rangers after just 51 appearances at Dens Park.

He spent three seasons at Ibrox, figuring in the Gers' domestic and European campaigns, but spent the final season of his stay on-loan with Blackburn, who snapped him up on a permanent basis at the end of his temporary spell.

Rovers have handed him just one appearance so far this season, that came in the 3-1 League Cup defeat of Gillingham in August.