Pompey sign Nigerian Ayegbeni

Division One leaders Portsmouth today confirmed they have signed Nigeria striker Yakubu Ayegbeni on loan from Maccabi Haifa for the rest of the season.

The 20-year-old, who scored in Haifa’s Champions League win over Manchester United this season, announced yesterday he would be joining Harry Redknapp’s side in a deal worth an initial £300,000 with a further £4.2million to follow if Pompey win promotion to the Barclaycard Premiership.

Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie confirmed the deal on the club’s official website, www. pompeyfc.co.uk, saying: “Harry and I believe we have a real jewel in the crown here.

“Before he was out of his teenage years, he was attracting interest from the Premier League here and from top clubs across Europe.

“I believe he will be great for the club and it further underlines our ambition to get up to the Premier League on the one hand, and the recognition from top players of that ambition on the other.

“It also underlines once more the quality that managers like Harry Redknapp attract.”

It is hoped that Ayegbeni will be cleared in time to face Sheffield United next Saturday.