Last updated on .From the section European Football

Gasan Magomedov died on Saturday after being shot near his home in Russia

Gasan Magomedov, a 20-year-old footballer for Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, has been shot dead near his home in Russia's North Caucasus.

Magomedov was driving on Saturday when his car was hit with machine-gun fire and he died from his wounds while being transported to hospital, Anzhi said.

No arrests have been made and the motive is unclear, the club added.

Anzhi sent "deepest condolences" to the family of Magomedov, a midfielder in the club's youth and reserve teams.

There were no reports of any other casualties.

The Russian Republic of Dagestan "The republic has oil and gas reserves and also the fisheries potential offered by a share in the resources of the Caspian sea. However, it is prey to organised crime and regional instability. The crime barons may prosper but the people are amongst the poorest in Russia." Read more: Dagestan, BBC News profile

Anzhi chief executive Sergey Korablev said: "We grieve together with everyone who was dear to Gasan.

"I hope the police quickly find the killers and they suffer just punishment."

The region of Dagestan, where the attack took place and where Anzhi Makhachkala are based, has become the focus of Islamist militant activity in the North Caucasus.

Gun battles between rebels and Russian security forces are not uncommon.

Anzhi challenged for the Russian Premier League title in recent years, but were relegated to the second tier last season after billionaire owner Suleyman Kerimov withdrew his financial backing.

For several years the club had a policy of basing star players - among them former Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o - in Moscow to avoid Dagestan's security risks.