page_title: FC Anzhi Makhachkala
section_title: Purchase
hierarchical_section_title: FC Anzhi Makhachkala / History / Purchase
caption_attribution_description: English: Samuel Eto'o playing for FC Anzhi Makhachkala in a Russian Cup 2011/12 game against FC Dynamo Moscow.
context_page_description: Football Club Anzhi Makhachkala or FC Anji is a Russian football club based in Makhachkala, capital of the Republic of Dagestan. Founded in 1991, the club compete in the Russian Professional Football League, playing their home games at the Anzhi-Arena.
  On 18 January 2011, Anzhi Makhachkala was purchased by billionaire Suleyman Kerimov, and subsequently made numerous high-profile signings, including those of striker Samuel Eto'o and manager Guus Hiddink. Following severe budget cuts ahead of the 2013–14 Russian Premier League season, the club lost most of its key players and went on to finish bottom of the table, which resulted in relegation to the Russian National Football League at the end of the season, returning at the first attempt.
context_section_description: On 18 January 2011, the club was purchased by Dagestani billionaire Suleyman Kerimov, but later it was revealed that the President of Dagestan, Magomedsalam Magomedov, met Kerimov and gave him a 100% stake in the club, including 50% of the shares of the former owner of the club Igor Yakovlev, in exchange for financial support. Kerimov was planning to invest over $200 million in infrastructure, of which a substantial amount will go in building a new stadium with a capacity of more than 40,000 spectators, which would meet all UEFA requirements.
  Kerimov's investment was immediate as the club made signings in the 2011 winter transfer window. The first significant signing came on 16 February, when the club announced the free transfer of Brazilian left-back Roberto Carlos, a FIFA World Cup winner in 2002. Further signings included €10 million on another Brazilian, the former Corinthians midfielder Jucilei and €8 million on Moroccan winger Mbark Boussoufa from Anderlecht. Boussoufa's transfer was finalised in the last minute of the window, on 10 March.
  In summer 2011, the club signed the Hungarian Balázs Dzsudzsák, who signed a four-year deal to transfer for a reported €14 million. Anzhi also bought Russian midfielder Yuri Zhirkov from Chelsea for a similar fee. On 23 August 2011, Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto'o signed from Inter Milan for approximately €28 million on a world-record €20.5 million annual salary.
  In February 2012, the club appointed the experienced Dutchman Guus Hiddink as its new manager following Yuri Krasnozhan's two-month-long spell in charge. Hiddink's first signing was Congolese defender Christopher Samba, joining for £12 million from Blackburn Rovers.
  On 30 January 2012, Roberto Carlos announced his plans to retire at the end of the season. He ended his football career on 9 March and took up a role as the club's director.
  On 10 October 2012, Anzhi opened a youth academy, the first in Dagestan in order to develop youth talents for the first team. The academy is being run by Anzhi Sporting Director Jelle Goes.
  On 22 July 2013, Hiddink resigned from his post as manager, ending an 18-month stint. His newly appointed assistant, countryman René Meulensteen, was promoted to the manager position. However, after 16 days as the team manager, Meulensteen was sacked.
caption: Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto'o was the team's captain until his departure to Chelsea in 2013
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