21 May 2002 (Teamtalk) — Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has revealed that Cameroon defender Raymond Kalla has agreed to sign for the new season.
Kalla, a powerfully-built central defender, will play for Cameroon in the World Cup finals before completing his Bosman free transfer move to Pompey after the finals.
Kalla has been playing for relegated Spanish Second Division club Extremadura and has been looking to play in England for some time.
Redknapp watched him three months ago and made him a transfer target, believing he can more than cope with the English First Division.
Capped 47 times already by Cameroon, Kalla should reach his half century in the finals and Redknapp is convinced he can cope with English conditions.
Redknapp said: “He is a big guy with a lot of power. He’ll do a great job for us.”
Pompey have lacked a commanding central defender since Darren Moore joined West Bromwich and Kalla is built in the same mould.
Redknapp will be looking to pair him with Eddie Howe, who joined from Bournemouth just before the transfer deadline for an initial £400,000.
