Tal Ben-Haim is a versatile defender who signed for Portsmouth at the end of the summer 2009 transfer window.

He featured fairly regularly for Pompey in 2009-10 and was particularly impressive in Pompey’s first league win of the season, a 1-0 victory at Wolves, and in the 2-0 win over Liverpool in December, although he later struggled with a groin injury.

Tal is a veteran of around 250 senior appearances, he is predominantly a central defender although he can also play in either full-back position.

His strengths include his reading of the game and his close marking ability. Tal spent time on loan to West Ham in the first half of the 2010-11 campaign, linking up with his former Pompey boss Avram Grant.

He returned to Fratton Park in January but did not add to his total of first-team appearances.

Tal was first capped for Israel in February 2002 and has now made over 50 appearances for his country.