Crouch completes Pompey move - TalkSoccer

**Lemmy** · 07-07-2008, 05:16 PM

Peter Crouch is poised to complete his switch from Liverpool to Portsmouth in a deal that could be worth up to £11m.

The two clubs reached an agreement over the weekend and Liverpool confirmed on Monday they had given the 27-year-old permission to talk.

"We have reached a verbal agreement with Portsmouth and have given them permission to speak with Peter," a Liverpool statement said.

Crouch wants to link up with Pompey again six years after leaving.

He will team up with Jermain Defoe in a new-look Portsmouth attack next season.

Liverpool are expected to initially receive in the region of £9m for Crouch, who joined the club from Southampton in July 2005 but only started nine Premier League games last term.

Anfield boss Rafael Benitez initially said he would consider offers for Crouch in the region of £15m but has been forced to scale back his demands for a player with only a year left on his current contract.

Crouch has scored 40 goals in 135 appearances for Liverpool but has struggled to hold down a regular first-team place in recent times.

He was relegated behind Fernando Torres, who scored 33 goals for the Reds after signing from Atletico Madrid last summer.

However, he was a popular figure with Liverpool fans and still managed to net 11 goals as he was mainly used as a substitute by Benitez.

Crouch started his career as a trainee at Tottenham before moves to QPR, Portsmouth, Aston Villa, Norwich - where he had a spell on loan - Southampton and Liverpool.

BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Liverpool | Crouch poised for Pompey switch

11 million pounds seems too much for a player like Crouch

JamesC81 · 07-07-2008, 06:33 PM

portsmouth to finish in a uefa cup place this season

NJ10 · 07-07-2008, 06:40 PM

I have nothing but respect for Crouch.

I must confess I wasnt exactly jumping from the rooftops when we signed him, but he did exactly what fans want, he got his head down, worked his arse off for the team and enjoyed his football. Even when he went 15 odd games without a goal at the start of his Liverpool career I never felt like he deserved any criticism, anyone could see he was giving his all and that he cared about the club.

I do think he has been under-used by Benitez, but he has very rarely come out and had a go about the fact that players such as Voronin & Kuyt appear to be valued higher than him. Even last season, I felt he was entitled to complain when he saw Voronin return from a long term injury and be thrust straight into action in the CL game with Arsenal away, but Crouch kept his dignity, and again put his all into any game where he was given a chance, and he scored some great goals for us.

I wish him all the best at Pompey, he might get plenty of stick from United, Chelsea, Everton or Arsenal fans, but he is a fine footballer and a smashing bloke.

**Lemmy** · 09-07-2008, 01:40 AM

Liverpool striker Peter Crouch has completed a medical at Portsmouth and is expected to finalise his £11m move to Fratton Park on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old, who will link up with Pompey again six years after leaving, was praised for his contribution by Reds boss Rafael Benitez.

"He is a good professional and we would have wanted him to stay," he said.

"We offered him a new contract. But sometimes you have to understand the player. He wanted to play a lot more."

The Spaniard added: "With Fernando Torres now first choice, that [playing more] was always going to be difficult.

"I can understand Peter's situation. But he did very well for this club and we always supported him when people doubted the decision to bring him to Anfield."

Crouch will team up with Jermain Defoe in a new-look Portsmouth attack next season.

Liverpool are expected to initially receive in the region of £9m for Crouch, who joined the club from Southampton in July 2005 but only started nine Premier League games last term.

Benitez initially said he would consider offers for Crouch in the region of £15m but has been forced to scale back his demands for a player with only a year left on his current contract.

Crouch has scored 40 goals in 135 appearances for Liverpool but has struggled to hold down a regular first-team place in recent times.

He was relegated behind Torres, who scored 33 goals for the Reds after signing from Atletico Madrid last summer.

However, he was a popular figure with Liverpool fans and still managed to net 11 goals as he was mainly used as a substitute by Benitez.

Crouch started his career as a trainee at Tottenham before moves to QPR, Portsmouth, Aston Villa, Norwich - where he had a spell on loan - Southampton and Liverpool.

BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Liverpool | Crouch passes Portsmouth medical

**Vargas_4** · 09-07-2008, 04:38 PM

Great player. I wish he had gotten more chances but oh well. It's life.

Wish him all the best and will keep track of him to see how he's doing.

**Lemmy** · 09-07-2008, 06:02 PM

he should be getting more playing time at Pompey

Buddha14 · 11-07-2008, 04:16 AM

YES!. Peter Storrie told us to wait and good things will come and it is starting to happen

We will reach the Quater-Final of Uefa Cup this season. This is my prediction.

**Lemmy** · 11-07-2008, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buddha14

YES!. Peter Storrie told us to wait and good things will come and it is starting to happen

We will reach the Quater-Final of Uefa Cup this season. This is my prediction.

that will be quite impressive. Pompey have made some nice signings this summer.

**kennethlindheim** · 11-07-2008, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lemmy

Pompey have made some nice signings this summer.

Who?? Ben Sahar and Glen Little? Not excatly players that will improve the team, I must say. But Crouch is a nice addition though.

Buddha14 · 11-07-2008, 12:47 PM

Alot of people doubted Hreidarsson. We was brill for us last season

**Lemmy** · 11-07-2008, 01:53 PM

Peter Crouch has completed his move to Portsmouth from Liverpool in a deal that could be worth up to £11m.

The 27-year-old returns to Pompey six years after leaving and will work with boss Harry Redknapp for the third time in his career.

Crouch said: "It's fantastic to be back. I believe Harry gets the best out of me and think the best years of my career can be here."

The England striker has signed a four-year contract at Fratton Park.

Crouch added: "This club is going places and they can match my ambitions.

"The chance of regular first team football was part of the appeal. I know I'll have to work hard to prove myself in training, but I believe my best years are in front of me."

Redknapp added: "Bringing a player like Peter here shows how far we have come and how far we can go. I'm delighted he's back.

"I never expected to see him back here. He went off to Liverpool and did a fantastic job in my opinion and I'm looking forward to seeing him and Jermain Defoe up front - a big one and a little one - and we've got other good forwards here."

The forward was also praised for his contribution to the Merseyside club by Reds manager Rafael Benitez.

"He is a good professional and we would have wanted him to stay," he said.

"We offered him a new contract but sometimes you have to understand the player. He wanted to play a lot more."

The Spaniard added: "With Fernando Torres now first choice, playing more was always going to be difficult.

BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Portsmouth | Crouch completes Portsmouth move

Buddha14 · 18-07-2008, 10:59 PM

Peter Crouch made his second Portsmouth debut as the FA Cup winners beat Swindon Town 3-1 at the County Ground.

Signed from Liverpool earlier this month, Crouch was a second-half substitute against the League One side, but was unable to open his account

**Sven** · 18-07-2008, 11:12 PM

I find it odd on Sahar, wanted by dutch team where he would of got started every time... any champ team would of wanted him... great trainer, with Rednapp being very impressed.. this 7 sub rule will help him... I don't know unlike under 21 championship last year were he flopped, I think he score few goals/

Buddha14 · 20-07-2008, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sven

I find it odd on Sahar, wanted by dutch team where he would of got started every time... any champ team would of wanted him... great trainer, with Rednapp being very impressed.. this 7 sub rule will help him... I don't know unlike under 21 championship last year were he flopped, I think he score few goals/

Missed a Simple tap-in against Exeter though