Distin to Portsmouth:Transfer report

Player: Sylvain Distin
From: Manchester City
To: Portsmouth
Fee: Free


29-year-old defender Sylvain Distin has left Manchester City and joined Portsmouth on a free transfer. The highly rated French centreback signed a three-year contract with the club, claiming that he needed a "fresh challenge". This was not the first time Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has tried to sign Distin. Last season, however, Distin opted to see out the last year of his contract at Manchester City.

Redknapp had beaten off bids from several sides, including Liverpool, who came up with a late bid, to sign Distin. His relief was imminent.

Redknapp said: "Thankfully we struck an agreement with Sylvain and I am really pleased we've got him.

"Last year when we showed an interest in him his price was five million so to get him for free has got to be great business for the club.

"I have been an admirer for a long time. He's a fantastic player, left-sided and good in the air and very powerful."

Distin said it had been a tough decision to leave the club.

"I was five years at Manchester City and made a lot of friends there. But you have got to have ambition and for me that means trying to push for Europe. Portsmouth are capable of doing that, more than capable, and that's why I am here.

"When you are on a free transfer you are going to get a lot of offers but this is the one I wanted to take."

Distin added: "Harry Redknapp was a big influence. I like the way his team plays and this is definitely a club on the way up."