Republic of Ireland midfielder Steven Reid completed his transfer Blackburn Rovers from first division Millwall last night for a fee of £2.5 million.
Premiership newcomers Portsmouth had attempted to hijack Reid's move north but after talks with Blackburn officials, the 22-year-old has signed a four-year contract at Ewood Park.
Rovers boss Graeme Souness revealed he had been forced to dash away from negotiations before Reid signed so as to sit in the dug-out for the friendly defeat at Oldham but the Scot was delighted to add the midfielder to recent signings Brett Emerton and Lorenzo Amoruso.
He said: "We've signed Steven Reid tonight and I think both Brett and Lorenzo are good signings for us - I feel we will be stronger than this time last year.
"It's a four-year deal. I raced over here because discussion went on quite late but my understanding is he has signed now. I'm delighted to have him on board."
Souness targeted more new signings but insisted he would be in no rush to spend the money the club brought in through selling Damian Duff and David Dunn.
He added: "We've had five players leave the club and I think we've replaced four so we've got a bit to go and we've not spent any of that money yet - this is money we set aside.
"We are going to try and be cautious. I've got confidence in the squad and I'm not going to rush out and spend money."