Pompey swoop for Cisse

Portsmouth have swooped to sign midfielder Aliou Cisse from under the noses of Premiership rivals Crystal Palace.

The Senegal international, who was thought to be on the way to Selhurst Park in a season-long loan move from Birmingham City, joins Harry Redknapp's side in a move worth £300,000.

The African comes to the South Coast club after two seasons at St Andrews and should boost a Pompey midfield that is without the services of Amdy Faye for the start of the new season through injury.

His permanent move to Portsmouth will come as a blow to The Eagles, who had announced that Cisse was their sixth summer signing on Thursday.

The news comes as Portsmouth aim to bring fellow midfielder Michael Carrick to the club from Championship side West Ham United.

Meanwhile, one midfielder that is staying at St Andrews is Stan Lazaridis, who has put pen-to-paper on new two-year contract with Steve Bruce's side.