Pompey land Fernandes
30 Aug 2006 - 17:38:10
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- Pompey land Fernandes
Portsmouth have finally completed the loan signing of Benfica midfielder Manuel Fernandeswith a view to a permanent deal.
Pompey boss Harry Redknapp has been chasing the highly-rated 20-year-old for much of the summer but has finally got his man.
Fernandes has been recovering from a groin injury since mid-July and is unlikely to be match-fit for some time.
He had been linked with a £10million switch to Fratton Park in July but mid-summer reports suggested he failed two medicals.
Fernandes, who is a product of Benfica's youth system, made his first-team debut during the 2003-04 season, under then coach Jose Antonio Camacho.
He became a first-team regular the following season under Giovanni Trapattoni's stewardship as the Lisbon-based club won their first Portuguese title in 11 years.
The youngster has also represented his country at senior level, playing in the friendly international defeat to the Republic of Ireland in February 2005.