Lauren
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Portsmouth sign-up defender Lauren
LONDON, England – Portsmouth have signed full-back Lauren from English Premiership rivals Arsenal on a two-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee.
The Cameroonian's arrival at Fratton Park will see him link-up again with former Arsenal players Sol Campbell and Kanu, who have both helped the south coast club climb to an impressive sixth place in the table.
Lauren, 30 on Friday, arrived at Arsenal in a £7.2 million move from Spanish side Mallorca in 2000, having previously played for LEVANTE and Seville.
During his six years with the north London giants, Lauren won two Premiership titles and three FA Cups.
Much of Portsmouth's success this season has been based on the ability of manager Harry Redknapp to get good performances out of '30 something' signings such as defender Campbell, keeper David James and strikers Kanu and Andy Cole.
And Redknapp was confident that in Lauren, who can play in any of the back four positions as well as midfield, he had found another experienced professional who can help the club in their quest for European football.
"Lauren is an outstanding player," said Redknapp "He's a great athlete and professional, very strong and quick too.
"He will be a tremendous asset to us, is extremely versatile and can play in a number of different positions at the back and in midfield."
Newcastle were also one of several sides reported to be interested in signing Lauren, capped 25 times by Cameroon before his retirement from international football in 2002, and Redknapp added: "I'm delighted he's decided to join Portsmouth above a whole host of clubs that were after him.
"It just shows how far we have come in a short space of time," said Redknapp, who last season returned from arch-rivals Southampton to steer Pompey clear of what had seemed certain relegation.
Lauren said: "This is a great move for me. Portsmouth are having a great season and are pushing for a place in Europe and I aim to play my part in that challenge. I have been very impressed with the club's plans for the future, both on and off the pitch, and this was why I chose to come to Fratton Park.
"It wil also be good to once again team up with Sol Campbell and Kanu," added Lauren, whose new club are just five points behind fourth-placed Arsenal.
Lauren will train with his new team-mates on Friday and go straight into the squad for Saturday's home league game against strugglers Charlton.
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Wooow!!
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@Ceszater:
¿Y? ¿Qué se ha ido al Portsmouth?
o al charlton…yo me perdi ya.
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TRADUCTOR XFAVOR!!
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Pues yo tenia entendido que Lauren estaba convaleciente de una lesion de rodilla, y por eso no estaba jugando. Me parece raro que lo hayan fichado si está tocado de la rodilla.
Por otro lado, muu bueno tu ingles, pero te falla un poco el acento
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Una lástima no haberlo fichado nosotros.Ahora ficha por un equipo del montón de la premier,aunque lo quiera repescar el Sevilla.
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gracias por resumir, porque si tengo que leer en ingles no me entero de na
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Una lástima no haberlo fichado nosotros.Ahora ficha por un equipo del montón de la premier,aunque lo quiera repescar el Sevilla.
Ya quisiéramos hacer nosotros como el Porsmouth: de tercera a primera poco a poco, reforzándose bien y con inteligencia en los fichajes. Este año no va mal. Hace diez años estaba en tercera y ahora va presentando sus credenciales como equipo dentro de la Premier. Dentro de unos años peleará por cotas más altas.
Tendríamos que aprender algo de ellos.
