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Craig HillPortsmouth signs Jermain Defoe
February 1st 2008 04:00
Portsmouth has completed the signing of England striker Jermain Defoe from Tottenham Hotspur in a very last minute deal before the close of the January transfer window.
The deal hinged on whether Benjani Mwaruwari would clinch a transfer to Manchester City and with the clock ticking towards midnight, both sets of paperwork were put through just in time for the players to transfer to their new clubs.
The deal sees Defoe reunited with Harry Redknapp, his former mentor at West Ham, and it was this relationship that clinched his south coast switch.
The player said: "I am glad the deal's sorted and now I can't wait to pull on the shirt and play for Pompey. I was with Harry at West Ham when I was a little boy - I say that but I'm still little - and he was one of the main reasons for me signing.
"Harry told me he likes me as a player. I want to play every game and he wants me to play. When you sign for a club and the manager shows faith in you then it gives you confidence."
"Harry told me he likes me as a player. I want to play every game and he wants me to play. When you sign for a club and the manager shows faith in you then it gives you confidence."
The 25 year-old striker had failed to hold down a regular first-team place at White Hart Lane - forwards Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov were often preferred in attack - and was told he was free to leave the club by manager Juande Ramos.
He will form an exciting strike-force with fellow new signing Milan Baros at Pompey and could very well force himself back into the England squad provided that he gets regular game-time in the south coast.
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Comment by Graham Fisher
If they don't, Pompey will be left with a good strike force but a big hole in their bank balance!