Pompey seal permanent Thomas deal

Thomas made his debut for Pompey against Chelsea

Portsmouth have signed Charlton winger Jerome Thomas on a permanent deal.

The 25-year-old winger initially joined on a one-year-loan but signing him permanently allows Pompey to bring in more temporary signings.

Premier League clubs are allowed a maximum of two temporary signings at any time and already have Chelsea's Ben Sahar on a six-month loan deal.

"It frees up a loan space for us," said Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie of Thomas, who is on a one-year contract.

A fee will be involved dependent on the number of appearances he makes for the club.

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Storrie added: "Jerome could have been recalled by Charlton in January under the terms of his loan but that is no longer a factor now his deal has been made permanent."

Thomas made his debut for Pompey in the 4-0 defeat at Chelsea on the opening day of the Premier League season.

The 25-year-old had been at Charlton since January 2004 and would have been out of contract with the Addicks next summer.

Thomas began his career as a schoolboy with Luton before moving to Arsenal in 2001.

The former England Under-21 international also had two loan spells at QPR but failed to land a regular first-team spot with the Gunners.