Skip to main content
BBC SPORT / PORTSMOUTH
Graphics Version | BBC News Home
Sport Homepage | Football | World Cup 2010 | Formula 1 | Olympics | Vancouver 2010 | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorbikes | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Football Contents:  World Cup 2010 | My Club | Gossip | Premier League | Championship | League One | League Two | Non League | FA Cup | League Cup | Scottish Premier | Scottish League | Scottish Cups | Welsh | Irish | Europe | African Women | Football Focus | Match of the Day | Final Score | World Football | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Your Game

12:00 GMT, Wednesday, 9 July 2008 13:00 UK

Portsmouth take Babayaro on trial

Celestine Babayaro

Portsmouth have taken former Newcastle United and Chelsea full-back Celestine Babayaro on trial.

The 29-year-old was released by the Magpies in December 2007 following a series of lengthy injuries.

Since leaving Newcastle the Nigerian had a brief spell at LA Galaxy, but played just 45 minutes in a friendly.

Pompey have also tied down reserve goalkeeper Asmir Begovic until 2011 after the Bosnian-born 21-year-old agreed a new three-year-deal.

Meanwhile, Portsmouth have established an official link with top-flight Belgian side Zulte-Waregem.

As part of the agreement Pompey players can be loaned out to the Jupiler League club to gain first-team experience.

"We wanted to link up with a side at a decent level," Portsmouth's director of youth operations Paul Hart told the club website.

606: DEBATE
What do you think of the new alliance between Portsmouth and Zulte-Waregem?

"We have our own coach in as part of the link-up, so it really is a no-lose situation for us."

Zulte-Waregem have only operated as a club since 2001 following a merger between Zultse V.V. and K.S.V. Waregem but two years ago they reached the last 32 of the UEFA Cup, where they were knocked out 4-1 on aggregate by Newcastle.

"The link gives us an option to use the club for non-EU players, so it opens the world up for us in that respect," Hart added.

"Of course, it works as a feeder system as well. If we feel we have players we can loan, then there is an option for us to do that."

Pompey's academy head to Scandinavia in late July where they will play Danish sides Brondby and Odense BK and Swedish outfit Halmstad.




E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:

Fresh chance for Nigeria stars (26 Feb 08 |  African )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Football on the BBC
Pompey fans' views on 606
BBC Radio Solent audio
Portsmouth weather
BBC Sport Premier League
Portsmouth
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC SPORT: 

Sport Homepage | Football | World Cup 2010 | Formula 1 | Olympics | Vancouver 2010 | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorbikes | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Football Contents:  World Cup 2010 | My Club | Gossip | Premier League | Championship | League One | League Two | Non League | FA Cup | League Cup | Scottish Premier | Scottish League | Scottish Cups | Welsh | Irish | Europe | African Women | Football Focus | Match of the Day | Final Score | World Football | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Your Game

^ Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | Feedback | Help | ©