Redknapp 'delighted' with Nugent
Nugent wants to prove his abilities at Premiership level
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Wednesday, 11, Jul 2007 10:49
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp is "delighted" after signing David Nugent from Preston for £6 million and Nigerian striker John Utaka from French side Rennes.
Nugent has been linked with a number of clubs this summer after impressing for North End in the Championship last season.
The England under-21 international said he was keen to prove himself in the Premiership.
He said: "I am glad to be here and want to prove to people I can score goals in the Premier League."
Nugent said that he could not wait forever for his dream move to Everton to materialise and that having met Redknapp he felt comfortable joining the south-coast side.
"I met Harry and straight away knew where I was going," said Nugent.
"He sold the club to me on the players he is bringing in, the squad is full of great names."
Redknapp has high hopes for Nugent, who is keen to add to the one England cap he earned against Andorra in March now that he is playing top-flight football.
The Pompey manager said: "I think he's got what it takes to become a top, top player and a top striker. I'm delighted to have him here."
Redknapp revealed he faced competition from other Premiership clubs for the signature of Utaka, and was pleased to have captured the Nigerian for an undisclosed fee.
The 25-year-old scored 22 goals in 63 games for Rennes over two seasons and is happy to have sealed a move to England.
He said: "I'm very happy. I've been dreaming of playing in the Premiership for a long time."
Utaka said he had no hesitation in joining Pompey after speaking to fellow Nigerian forward Kanu, who is himself pondering a new contract at Fratton Park.
Both Utaka and Nugent have both signed four-year deals with the club.