St Petersburg - Portugal defender Fernando Meira leaves Galatasaray Istanbul for Zenit St Petersburg with immediate effect, the UEFA Cup holders from Russia announced on Wednesday.

Zenit said on their website that Meira, 30, has signed a three-year-contract. The transfer fee has been estimated at 6 million euros (7.6 million dollars).

Meira joined the Turkish top club Galatasaray last summer after more than six years at Germany's VfB Stuttgart, but has fallen out of favour there recently.

Zenit are in Italy for a UEFA Cup round of 16 match on Thursday against Serie A side Udinese. Meira is not eligible to play in this event for Zenit because he has represented Galatasaray in it.

The Russian transfer window is still open because the domestic season there doesn't start until March 15. (dpa)