Portsmouth snap up d'Alessandro

D'Alessandro's move could be made permanent

Portsmouth have signed Argentina international midfielder Andres d'Alessandro on loan from Wolfsburg.

The 24-year-old, who was part of Argentina's gold medal-winning team in the 2004 Olympics, has scored 11 goals in 53 appearances for Wolfsburg.

Manager Harry Redknapp told the club website: "The boy is a really influential playmaker and you can't have too many of those.

"This is a massive signing for the club and I am delighted."

D'Alessandro, who has been granted clearance that frees him to play against Bolton on Wednesday, is Redknapp's ninth signing of the January transfer window.

Redknapp added: "We have got together some players who can have a huge influence on matches, and this lad is one of them."

D'Alessandro moved to the Bundesliga from River Plate for £6.2m in July, 2003.

He has played consistently well for Wolfsburg but reports in Germany suggested the player had been keen for a change.

Wolfsburg coach Klaus Augenthaler left him out of the squad for Saturday's 3-2 defeat by Borussia Dortmund.

"I'm sure this agreement is a fair solution for the clubs involved and for the player," Wolfsburg manager Klaus Fuchs said in a statement.