Quashie follows Redknapp to Southampton

Nigel Quashie acclaimed Harry Redknapp as one of the best managers in the business after cutting his Portsmouth ties to team up again with the Southampton boss.

The former Pompey captain finalised his £2.1million transfer and after agreeing a three and a half year deal should make his debut against Liverpool in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off.

Redknapp’s son Jamie and on-loan Calum Davenport have already been added to the squad as the manager attempts to rebuild the squad left to him by former coach Steve Wigley.

Quashie was made captain at Fratton Park by Redknapp after the former QPR and Nottingham Forest midfielder played an influential role in guiding Pompey into the top-flight and keeping them there.

Now the task is to make sure Southampton’s near 27-year stay among the English elite extends beyond this summer, with Saints currently second-bottom in the Barclays Premiership and three points adrift of safety.

“Football is not about comfort zones. It is about seeing how far you can push yourself and I am up for this cause,” said Quashie.

“I could have stayed at Forest but Tony Pulis wanted to take me to Portsmouth who were fighting relegation from Division One.

“I had a lot going on in my life and it was an awful time. There were times when I thought about packing it in.

“I had to try and get my life back together so I went to Portsmouth and I have come through it as a person.

“Harry Redknapp came in and over the past two years I have played the best football of my career.

“He said some personal things to me and made me realise things about myself and gave me confidence.

“He is a manager that a lot of people would want and I am delighted to be linking up with him again.

“Now I hope I can help him and Southampton to get out of the position they are in.”

Quashie added on the club’s official website, www.saintsfc.co.uk: “I have been in a relegation scrap before and come through it with Pompey and I am not the sort to duck out of that sort of challenge.

“Southampton are obviously in a difficult position at the moment but there are 45 points to play for and we are more than capable of getting out of trouble.

“I am certain they are going to stay up. There is no way I would have come here if I had any doubts about that.

“But we need to get a few results quickly – and I am the sort to relish that challenge.”

Redknapp remains hopeful of being able to add further players to his squad, and he has urged chairman Rupert Lowe to dig deep into the club’s resources to fund any such deals which could bolster the survival bid.

Lowe said Quashie was top of Redknapp’s wanted list.

“Harry really wanted him. He thinks he is a strong character who will add to the dressing room. We are delighted to make him our third signing since Harry came here,” said Lowe.

“You have to admire him for joining the club when it is experiencing a short-term difficulty but that shows the type of person he is and the commitment he has.”

Although Quashie is available for an immediate debut, he will be unavailable when his new club and Pompey meet in the FA Cup fourth round, having featured in the third round.