Robert completes move to Benfica

Robert career statistics

French winger Laurent Robert has ended his loan stay at Portsmouth and joined Portuguese champions Benfica.

Newcastle paid £10.5m for the 30-year-old in 2001 but he left the club in the summer following a series of arguments with boss Graeme Souness.

And he has now signed a three-and-a-half year contract with Ronald Koeman's Benfica side.

Robert said: "This is a super club. To be able to play in the Champions League is fantastic and that's why I am here."

He added: "They showed a lot of interest in me. I am very happy to be here.

I haven't given up hope on the World Cup Laurent Robert

"Knowing a coach like Koeman really wanted me in his side was enough to convince me it was the right thing to do."

During his brief stay at Fratton Park, Robert scored one goal in 17 games but he was unable to avoid the controversy which dogged him during his time in England.

He was twice fined by Newcastle for launching verbal attacks on Souness and then he was punished by Portsmouth for refusing to sit on the bench in October's game at Sunderland.

However, despite his move to Benfica, Robert denied he had fallen out with new Pompey boss Harry Redknapp.

Have Your Say on 606 Discuss Robert's departure

"I got on great with Harry Redknapp," he said. "If anyone can save Pompey, he can."

Robert, who won the last of nine caps for France in 2001, said he would now concentrate on winning a place in his country's World Cup squad.

"The World Cup might seem a long way off for a player like me, but I haven't given up hope," he said.

"I still think I could do a job for my country and I'd love another chance to prove it."