Pompey snap up Karadas

Portsmouth today added Norwegian Azar Karadas to their multi-national squad as the striker joined on a year-long loan.

The 23-year-old arrives from Benfica and Portsmouth have an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season.

Karadas has won three Norway caps and had spells with SK Brann and Rosenborg before joining Benfica.

Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric said: “We have strengthened our strike force with Azar’s signing and this will give us further options.

“Alain Perrin rates him highly and he is a very good addition to Pompey’s squad.”

Karadas joins French pair Laurent Robert and Gregory Vignal, Republic of Ireland defender Andy O’Brien and Columbia midfielder John Viafara among the club’s summer signings.

The club sold striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu to Middlesbrough for £7.5million and Portsmouth hope Karadas will give them a presence in attack similar to the Nigerian.

“He is an excellent English style targetman and his goals and style attracted a club such as Benfica to go out and purchase him,” said Mandaric on www.pompeyfc.co.uk.

Meanwhile, Sander Westerveld is set for a Premiership return with Portsmouth after four years in Spain.

The former Liverpool goalkeeper is set for a medical today ahead of his move from Real Mallorca.

Westerveld lost his place at Anfield following the arrivals of Jerzy Dudek and Chris Kirkland in August 2001, prompting the Dutchman to join Real Sociedad.

He had helped Liverpool to a cup treble in the previous season but was allowed to leave by Gerard Houllier.

Portsmouth released Shaka Hislop this summer and have decided that Greek stopper Kostas Chalkias is not up to Premiership standards.

That has left boss Perrin with the inexperienced Jamie Ashdown as his undisputed first choice, barring any new arrivals.

“At the start of our transfer campaign I told you we would be improving every position – including goalkeeper,” Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric told BBC Radio Solent ahead of a scheduled medical for Westerveld today.

“Westerveld is an experienced goalkeeper and he spent a couple of years at Liverpool and in Spain.

“Alain Perrin (manager) is looking to give young Jamie Ashdown a bit of competition.”

Westerveld, 30, spent last season at Mallorca, after three years with Sociedad.

But first-team opportunities were limited and he was left out of the club’s squad for their pre-season training camp in Austria.