Winger Jermaine Pennant has agreed to join Portsmouth on loan from Liverpool until the end of the season. Pennant was expected to move to Pompey last week, after the clubs agreed terms for a player signed by the Reds from Birmingham in July 2006.

The 26-year-old was subsequently reported to prefer to stay at Anfield, but Portsmouth today revealed on their official website www.portsmouthfc.co.uk that they have got their man after all.

Manager Tony Adams explained Pennant, with whom the former England defender played at Arsenal, fits the bill perfectly at Fratton Park.

“I’ve known him for a long time,” said Adams. “We were together at Arsenal a long, long time ago. He was the new kid on the block and a very exciting prospect.”