Pompey sign young keeper

Portsmouth are set to sign Italian Andrea Guatelli on a two-year contract as cover for veteran goalkeeper Shaka Hislop.

The 20-year-old impressed on trial with Pompey from Serie A club Parma and seems certain to earn a permanent move with Dutch keeper Harald Wapenaar poised to leave the club to reduce the wage-bill.

Guatelli, who played in the friendly wins against Torquay and Plymouth, had signed a pre-contract agreement to allow manager Harry Redknapp assess him.

And the Pompey boss liked what he saw with Guatelli, who has also excelled in reserve team friendlies, beaten only once in those two senior games.

Guatelli said: “I’ve been offered a contract with another year if it goes well. I’m happy to sign.”

Redknapp was happy with Wapenaar as back-up for last season but the Dutchman could not force his way into the starting line-up.

“I have been unlucky because Shaka (Hislop) was in great form last season and I played only eight times when he was injured,” Wapenaar said.

“I get on well with Harry but maybe decisions are made upstairs. I do my best when I get a chance like at Aldershot so that I can find somewhere else to go.”

Pompey chairman Milan Mandaric has admitted he is willing to still pay a percentage of Wapenaar’s wages if it will help get him a move back to Holland.

He said: “We need to reduce some of our costs and sometimes that means letting people go which can be hard with good characters.”

Mandaric, though, will not have to pay a fee for Guatelli who was out of contract with Parma at the end of last season.

The chairman said: “He looks like a promising young goalkeeper.”