Former Montreal Canadiens defenceman Andrei Markov signs with Russian club

Longtime Montreal Canadiens defenceman Andrei Markov has signed with Russian club Ak Bars Kazan.

READ MORE: Andrei Markov, Montreal Canadiens part ways

Ak Bars says the 38-year-old Markov has signed a two-year contract to play in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), a week after Montreal said it would not keep the defenceman for a 17th NHL season.

READ MORE: Canadiens sign goalie Carey Price to lucrative eight-year extension

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No salary details were given.

WATCH BELOW: Markov, Habs part ways

1:07 Markov, Habs part ways

The move means Markov could end playing at the Olympics in February.

Russia is expected to be the favourite for an Olympic tournament without NHL players, with Ilya Kovalchuk and Pavel Datsyuk in its team.

READ MORE: ‘No news’ about Markov and Radulov returning to Montreal

Canada and the United States plan to have rosters made up of professionals playing in Europe and on college and major junior teams.