Lauren has made nearly 250 appearances for the Gunners
Portsmouth have signed Arsenal defender Lauren on a two-and-a-half year deal.
The Cameroon player, who turns 30 on Friday, has joined for an undisclosed fee following six-and-a-half years at the Gunners.
« Lauren is an outstanding player. He is a great athlete and professional, very strong and quick, too, » Pompey boss Harry Redknapp told the club website.
« I’m delighted he’s decided to join us over a whole host of clubs that were after him. »
Lauren, who missed the whole of 2006 after knee surgery, had not played for Arsenal this season.
The versatile player fell down the pecking order this campaign, with Emmanuel Eboue and Justin Hoyte picked ahead of him in the first-team reckoning.
He joined Arsenal for £7.2m from Mallorca in 2000 and made 241 appearances for the north London side.
Lauren added: « This is a great move for me.
« Portsmouth are having a great season and are pushing for a place in Europe and I aim to be playing my part in that challenge.
« I have been very impressed with the club’s plans for the future, both on and off the pitch, and this was why I chose to come to Fratton Park.
« It will also be good to once again to team up with former Arsenal team-mates Sol Campbell and Kanu. »
Portsmouth’s new signing will go straight into the squad to face Charlton on Saturday.
BBC
