Crouch makes Pompey move

England striker secures Fratton Park return

By Peter Fraser   Last updated: 11th July 2008

Peter Crouch signs for Portsmouth

Crouch: Leaves Liverpool

The club is unrecognisable to the last time I was here.

Peter Crouch on his return to Portsmouth
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Peter Crouch insists his best is yet to come after joining Portsmouth from Liverpool for a fee believed to be in the region of £11million.

Crouch underwent a medical on Friday morning before he was officially unveiled at a press conference shown live on Sky Sports News.

The England striker scored 19 goals in 39 matches in his first spell at Portsmouth in the 2001/02 season before moving on to Aston Villa and then Southampton.

And after ending his three-year stay at Liverpool, Crouch is now looking forward to the challenge at Portsmouth and he admits the club has undergone a sweeping transition since his previous period at Fratton Park.

Fantastic

"It's fantastic to be back and the club is going places," said Crouch. "I've worked here before and he (Redknapp) gets the best out of me. I'm pleased to be back.

"The best is still to come in my career and it will be here at Portsmouth.

"They have built a good side and there have been big changes. The club is unrecognisable to the last time I was here.

"It is a very strong side which can compete against anyone. The club is moving forward."

New signings

It is now expected the 27-year-old will link up with England colleague Jermain Defoe in attack as Pompey manager Harry Redknapp looks to improve on last season's FA Cup victory and eighth-placed Premier League finish.

"I'm delighted to have Peter back," added Redknapp. "He's a terrific player and I never expected to see him back here.

"He's an established England international and to bring him back is a real coup. He has great all-round ability. He's not in the England team for nothing."

Redknapp has also hinted that the arrival of Crouch will not be the last of his activity in the transfer market as Pompey continue to look for new signings ahead of this season's Uefa Cup campaign.

"We're always looking to improve and we'll see where we go. We'll keep looking around," concluded Redknapp.