Portsmouth sign Stefanovic to bolster defence

Portsmouth have completed the signing of Serbia and Montenegro international Dejan Stefanovic.

Portsmouth have completed the signing of Serbia and Montenegro international Dejan Stefanovic.

The former Sheffield Wednesday defender will join the newly-promoted side for around Stg£1.85million from Vitesse Arnhem on a three-year contract.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp joked: "He's a big drinker and a smoker, a real nightmare. But seriously, he's going to be a great player for us.

"He brings a lot of experience to the back and is solid on the left hand side. He's a great signing."

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Rangers made a late attempt to snatch the 28-year-old from under the nose of Redknapp, who targeted Stefanovic as soon as Porstmouth secured promotion.

The former West Ham chief told the Portsmouth News: "Rangers came in strong for him at the end, but he'd already made up his mind that he wanted to come to us."

Vitesse were eager to part with the player to help ease costs. Stefanovic, who started his professional career at Red Star Belgrade, is not new to Premiership football.

He played for now Second Division Wednesday from 1995 until 1999, before his career took him to Perugia, OFK Belgrade and Vitesse.