Portsmouth best-ever deadline day signings: Jermain Defoe and Argentine cult hero
Portsmouth are no strangers to making epic last-minute deadline-day signings.
Some of the best players to wear the Pompey shirt this century were signed on the final day of the transfer window, most of them by Harry Redknapp during the club’s years in the Premier League.
As the final day of the 2025 summer transfer window, approaches Pompey News some of the best deadline-day signings made by Portsmouth.
If John Mousinho can sign someone half as good as these players on 1 September, he’ll be more than happy.
Jermain Defoe – signed from Tottenham (2008)
On 31 January 2008, when it emerged that Pompey striker Benjamin Mwaruwari would be signing for Manchester City, many fans were disappointed.
However, later in the day, as news broke that Jermain Defoe would be signed as his replacement, supporters were jumping for joy. This would surely be the upgrade of the century.
Defoe scored eight goals in his first seven appearances for Portsmouth that season.
He formed a memorable partnership with Peter Crouch the following season, before Redknapp left to manage Tottenham and took the diminutive striker with him.
Defoe was only at Portsmouth striker for 12 months, but he scored 17 goals in 36 appearances.
Lomana LuaLua – loan from Newcastle (2004)
Portsmouth were deep in a relegation battle during 2003-04, their first season in the Premier League.
The loan signing of Lomana LuaLua helped to turn things in their favour.
In his third game for Portsmouth, LuaLua famously scored against Newcastle while he was still technically their player. This goal ultimately led to a rule which prevented Premier League stars playing against their parent clubs.
LuaLua signed permanently that summer after keeping Portsmouth in the Premier League, but he eventually fell down the pecking order and was sold to Olympiakos in 2007.
Portsmouth are short of striking options again right now, and John Mousinho would surely give his left arm to loan a striker who had as much as impact as the DR Congo international.
Niko Kranjcar – signed from Hajduk Split (2006)
Niko Kranjcar is a familiar name in the Premier League and across football, but he wasn’t when Redknapp plucked him from the Croatian League on 31 August 2006.
The winger cost Portsmouth £3.5million, but would go on to be a key part of the team that would thrive in the Premier League and win the FA Cup.
He would leave Portsmouth on 1 September 2009, again on deadline day, when Redknapp signed him for Tottenham.
Andres D’Alessandro – loan from Wolfsburg (2006)
Portsmouth, again, were in the midst of a relegation battle in 2006-2007.
Again, Redknapp’s summer signings helped the club to enjoy a miraculous improvement in form to pull themselves out of trouble.
The signing of Argentine international on loan from Wolfburg was the pick of the bunch.
Many Pompey fans who saw him play say he was the best loan signing the club ever made. Perhaps that’s a target for this season’s loan signings Yang Min-hyeok and Florian Bianchini to try and surpass.
Glen Johnson and Papa Bouba Diop – signed from Chelsea and Fulham (2007)
These two signings were made on 31 August 2007, and both players were first-team regulars during this season. Both started the FA Cup final when Portsmouth beat Cardiff 1-0 at Wembley.
Johnson won the Premier League’s 2008-09 goal of the season for his half-volley against Hull City.
Diop received a bit of stick from Portsmouth fans during his time at Fratton Park, but he was undoubtedly
- strong and aggressive in the tackle
- a threat from set pieces
- a great character
Johnson eventually joined Liverpool in 2009, while Diop was sold to AEK Athens in 2010.
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