Pompey complete Diarra deal

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has completed the signing of France midfielder Lassana Diarra from Arsenal in a three-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

The 22-year-old only joined the Gunners from Chelsea last summer but has been frustrated by a lack of first-team opportunities at the Emirates Stadium.

"My choice could shock and surprise people, I am conscious of that," Diarra told French daily L'Equipe. "It isn't Arsenal, it isn't Chelsea. But I know the Portsmouth manager, I know he is going to play me."

He added: "I need to play. I really want to think about myself, about those who appreciate me, who want to see me a little more on the pitch."

Diarra will join his new team-mates for training on Friday and could make his debut in Saturday's Barclays Premier League match at home to Derby.

He added: "I am 22 and the most important thing for me is football, my job, my passion.

"I read that the club [Arsenal] wanted to keep me. But when you want to keep someone, you do it by playing them. This hasn't been the case.

"I am very happy. I feel better already because I know I am going to play and string together matches."

With Sulley Muntari, Papa Bouba Diop, John Utaka and Kanu away on international duty in the African Nations Cup, Diarra should be thrown straight into Pompey's starting line-up by Redknapp.