Deadline Day Signings

Pompey were very busy up until the end of the summer transfer window. In the last few hours we captured 3 international stars.

The first player to join the ranks was French Under-19 international, Frank Songo'o which was described as a major coup for the club in picking up one of the brightest young talents.

Pompey fought off a number of other teams to gain the signature of the 19 year old midfielder, who came up through the ranks of Barcelona's youth set up.

Club Chairman Milan Mandaric told the Official Website of his delighted in Songo'o's arrival at Fratton Park and says the player is one for the future: "This is a player with a lot of potential. He has both pace and skill so he is an investment."

This has to be the signing I was most excited at. Finally a proper replacement for Steve Stone?

Then, after being promised a top class striker all summer that would excite the fans, his identity was finally revealed.

The player is Uruguayan striker Dario Silva from Spanish club Sevilla. The goalscorer was high on the list of targets and Pompey clinched his signature on deadine day with a two year deal much to their delight.

He is described as quick and strong, but at 32 years old, I wonder if his best years are behind him? Although saying this, it could be a masterstroke bringing in someone with vast European and International experience to bring out the best in our young and raw strikers (the likes of Collins Mbesuma, James Keene, Vincent Pericard and Lomana Tresor LuaLua)

Chief Executive Peter Storrie told the Official Website: "He is a top quality striker who will give us that extra needed ingredient up front and around goal."

"He is one of a number of strikers from around Europe that we've had our eye on and we have stuck at it right up until the deadline day and reaped our reward with this player."

"Dario has played at the highest level in Italy and Spain so the Premier League will not daunt him."

Time will tell if he is a Karadas or a Yakubu


The final of the deadline day signing came as a bigger surprise. As all Pompey fans were heading to bed after a day of nervous tension and excitement, the breaking news banner on Sky Sports News changed to sunshine yellow. "Portsmouth complete the one year loan signing of Liverpool's Salif Diao."

My first thought was why is he needed? But after watching the reserve team loose last night at Fratton Park to West Ham United, it showed we have no strength in depth in our squad. The main competition to Richard Hughes's starting place is Giannis Skopelitis. How this player can be classed as a Premiership player is beyond belief.

Hopefully this signing with bolster the squad and provide adequate cover in a position we lack quality. He must have something about him seeing as Liverpool played £5m for him.

Chief Executive Peter Storrie told the Official Website: "Salif is a competitive midfield man and with his addition we now have a very competitive midfield in itself.

"In the last few days we have signed an attacking midfield man, a goal-scoring striker and now another tenacious tackler with strength so we believe given these additions to the options already at our disposal we have an all round team capable of taking us in the right direction."

Chairman Milan Mandaric told the Official Webste: "It's late at night but I am satisfied we have done all we can after a lot of hard work to secure the signings we needed to strengthen."

"In the lead up to the deadline we have looked at all our options and acted by bringing in the players we think will make that difference."

"Our defeats have all been narrow ones so far, with not a lot to choose, so naturally the talent we have secured in the vital areas of the field should tip the balance in our favor.

"I am happy tonight that deadline day has concluded satisfactorily for us."

Overall I am now quietly confident about our chances this season. Well done Milan and the team for all the hard work in getting all of these deals done.

Play up Pompey!