Source: Daily_Mail
Coventry City seal £1m deal for Portsmouth defender Martin Cranie
Coventry have completed the signing of defender Martin Cranie from Portsmouth. The 22-year-old managed just two Premier League appearances during his three years at Fratton Park.He was one of the top performers for England at this summer's European Under-21 Championship, netting the opening goal in the dramatic semi-final triumph over hosts Sweden. Star man: Coventry began tracking Portsmouth's Cranie (left) after his summer performances for England Under-21s Cranie, who has had loan spells at Charlton and QPR in recent seasons, has signed a three-year contract at Coventry and is relishing his role in Chris Coleman's team.He told Coventry's official website: 'I've been out on loan in the Championship before so I know what this league is all about.'It's a bit more physical and frantic than the Premier League but it's still an exciting league to be in and hopefully I can help Coventry push towards promotion.'I know Leon Best quite well because we used to room together at Southampton and he told me what a good club Coventry is and once I met the gaffer he seemed like a top bloke straight away.'Coleman added: 'Martin's a player we've liked for some time, he's young and he's got it all ahead of him.'He's proven himself at England Under 21 level so he has the kind of quality we want to bring here and I'm very much looking forward to working with him.' PORTSMOUTH FC NEW FROM ACROSS THE NETTHE INSIDER'S LIVE WINDOW WATCH: Van Gaal cool on Bosingwa, Pompey bid for striker Dindane. plus all of Thursday's hot gossipVanden Borre boosts Pompey's small squad after sealing year-long loan dealPortsmouth, Hull and Blackburn fight it out to land ex-Chelsea star Zenden Explore more:People:Martin Cranie, Leon BestPlaces:United Kingdom, Fratton Park