Diarra agrees Pompey deal

Frenchman handed three-and-a-half year deal

By Peter O'Rourke   Last updated: 17th January 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Diarra agrees Pompey deal

Diarra: Pompey-bound

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Skysports.com understands Lassana Diarra has agreed his move to Portsmouth from Arsenal.

The French international has been locked in talks with Pompey boss Harry Redknapp this week after they agreed a fee in the region of £5million with Arsenal for the midfielder.

Diarra has agreed personal terms and passed a medical at Fratton Park and is set to be unveiled as Pompey's latest signing later this week.

The former Chelsea man has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal at Portsmouth and could make his debut this weekend against Derby.

Diarra, who only joined Arsenal during the summer transfer window, decided to move on after growing increasingly frustrated with his lack of first-team opportunities at Emirates Stadium.

The 22-year-old opted for a transfer as he was concerned that his dearth of action for Arsenal could damage his chances of winning a place in France's Euro 2008 squad.

Diarra will be hoping to earn a regular place in Redknapp's starting XI as Pompey battle for a place in Europe.