Kranjcar joins Pompey

By Mark Buckingham

Portsmouth have clinched the signing of Croatia international Niko Kranjcar.

The 22-year-old emerged as a late transfer target for Pompey after Harry Redknapp lost out to Aston Villa for Stilian Petrov.

A deal was quickly put in place for Kranjcar, who is rated as one of the brightest playmaking talents in Europe.

He has signed a four-year contract with the Premiership club after opting to leave Hajduk Split in his homeland.

Pompey flew their medical team out to Zagreb where Kranjcar is preparing for Croatia's upcoming Euro 2008 qualifier against Russia next week.

Kranjcar passed the medical before signing his deal with Redknapp's side and caps a busy few days in the transfer market for the South Coast club.

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