Handy Andy

Pompey have tied up talks for Republic of Ireland defender Andy O'Brien, who joins from Newcastle for a fee that could rise to £2m. Although not rated too highly by the Toon fans he's proved himself to be a useful and competent defender in over 150 appearances for Newcastle - forty-four last season - and nearly twenty caps for his country. Talks had been ongoing for the last week or so and O'Brien will sign on on July 1st.

Considering how our back line is, for the most part, over thirty years of age, signing a twenty-five year old is certainly a step in the right direction. However he will not be joined at Fratton Park by his old team-mate Laurent Robert, who has instead decided for European football and a £40,000 a week wage at Bolton Wanderers. Well, we'd all take it if we could.

Meanwhile, welcome to Andy and let's hope he does well here. Hopefully his signature will calm some of the fans who have accused the club of a recent lack of action, despite being a mere two weeks into the transfer window and having already claimed to have signed two un-named other players, as well as looking at other targets.