Campbell wraps up Pompey switch
Sol Campbell set for the south coast after deal agreed with Pompey
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Tuesday, 08, Aug 2006 09:47
England defender Sol Campbell will be staying in the Premiership next season after he signed for Portsmouth on a free transfer earlier today.
He moves to the south-coast side on a two-year deal having passed a medical at Fratton Park and rejected late approaches from Newcastle and Manchester City.
Manager Harry Redknapp, who will now turns his attentions to finding a defensive partner for Campbell, was delighted at his capture of the 31-year-old centre-back.
"He's a top, top player, a big character and I think he's a great signing for us. He's very strong. I think he's fine and looking forward to the challenge," he said.
The move wasn't one that any observers were predicting just a month ago when the former Tottenham captain bid farewell to north London leaving the impression that he would try his luck at a foreign club.
Certainly his former boss Arsene Wenger was surprised, and even a little annoyed, to find that he may well be facing his former charge in domestic competition.
"It is a big surprise to me because he cancelled his contract to go abroad. Have you sold Portsmouth to a foreign country? No," said the Frenchman.
However his former employers could hardly complain about Campbell's contribution during his five years at Highbury, even if his last season at the club was beset by problems on and off the pitch.
He was a mainstay of two Premiership-winning sides, lifted the FA Cup on three occasions and scored in last season's European Cup final.