Sport Today

Portsmouth sign Prosinecki

Division One Portsmouth have signed Croatian star Robert Prosinecki from
Croatia Zagreb.

The club's official website has announced that the deal is closed, subject
to the player gaining a work permit.

"Once you lure a major target like this it opens the eyes of others with
regard to the intentions of the club," the club's owner Milan Mandaric told
pompeyfc.co.uk.

No transfer fee has not been confirmed although the report on the club's
official website claims that the Croatia ace had "not come cheap".

The 32-year-old Prosinecki, who has played for both Real Madrid and
Barcelona, was one of Croatia's most impressive performers in the 1998 World
Cup finals, where they finished third, and the 1996 European Championships.

CROATIAN  STAR PROSINECKI SIGNED UP

ROBERT PROSINECKI today signed a two-year deal to become Pompey's great
entertainer.

Croatia's captain has been brought into the club to boost their chances of
establishing a foothold in the upper reaches of the Premiership.

Chairman Milan Mandaric is believed to have made the former Barcelona and
Real Madrid midfield star the highest paid player on the staff.

Former Croatia Zagreb midfielder Prosinecki is believed to be on just under
10,000 a week. He has moved to Fratton Park from Standard Liege on a Bosman
transfer and, speaking with Mandaric acting as an interpreter, said: 'I
spoke with the chairman and he explained what was going to happen here and I
liked it.'

Mandaric added: 'He can play some lovely football and I hope his arrival
will help to open the doors so we can bring other real quality players into
the club.'

Pompey boss Rix said: 'He has played on some of the best international
stages there are and this is a coup for Portsmouth.'