Portsmouth buys Ghanain

Pompey has signed Ghanain Sulley Muntari for a club record fee of 7 million pounds. He has signed on for a 5 year deal from Italian club, Udinese.

Muntari, 22, is manager Harry Redknapp's third new recruit in a week having signed centre-backs Sylvain Distin from Manchester City and Hermann Hreidarsson from Charlton on free transfers.

Redknapp commented, "We tried to sign Sulley in the last two transfer windows but Udinese did not want to sell. I saw him for the first time in the World Cup last summer for Ghana against Brazil when he was the best player on the pitch. And he was outstanding in the matches I've watched him ever since. He will add pace, strength and goalscoring ability to our midfield. He has a great left foot, great energy and can run all day. He can pass the ball too.

His compatriot, Chelsea star Michael Essien, recommended Muntari's signing and said last week: "He will be a really big player in English football."

Profile

Full name: Sulley Ali Muntari
Date of birth: 27-08-1984 (age 22)
Place of birth: Konongo, Ghana
Height: 1.8 m
Playing position: Central midfielder

Club information
2002-2007 Udinese 124 (8)
2007- Portsmouth

National team
2002- Ghana 026 (8)


- box-to-box physical and skillful central midfielder
- described by Football Italia as "showing himself to possess the touch of Kaká and the combativeness of Edgar Davids
- integral member of Ghana's U-20 team as they finished runners-up [1] at the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship
- had a trial with Man United earlier in career before moving to Udinese
- won his first cap for Ghana against Slovenia on 17 May 2002 at age 18
- On 31 August 2005 at the end of the transfer window, Udinese announced they rejected a bid from Manchester United for the player. Ironically, United had the chance to buy Muntari as a youngster in 2001, but wouldn't pay the £1 million pound asking price.
- If MU once wanted him, he must be decent