The midfielders will be reunited with former South Korea coach Dick Advocaat. The Dutchman was named Zenit's manager last week following Korea's world Cup exit.

Subject to a medical examination both players will be eligible to play for Zenit against Dynamo Moscow in a Russian league game on Thursday.

"I felt I needed to move to Europe to expand my game," Lee told reporters after deciding to leave Korean club Ulsan Tigers. "I felt during the World Cup that that's what I needed."

Kim said he was looking at playing in Russia's second city as a stepping stone to England.

"After gaining experiencing in Russia my aim is to play in the Premier League," said the former FC Seoul player. "I'm a bit nervous. How I play in Russia will dictate my future."

South Korea, semi-finalists in 2002, were eliminated in the first round of the World Cup despite beating Togo 2-1 and holding France to a 1-1 draw.

Zenit have serious ambitions since being bought by Russian energy giant Gazprom in December.