Ayegbeni bound for Portsmouth

Maccabi Haifa FC's Yakubu Ayegbeni has agreed to join English first division leaders Portsmouth FC on loan until the end of the season.

Thwarted move
The 20-year-old Nigerian striker attempted to join Derby County FC in the summer but failed after the Department of Employment refused him a work permit. Ayegbeni's performances for Haifa in the UEFA Champions League, where he scored two goals in the qualifying round and five more in the group stages, attracted attention from various European clubs. An offer to join Bayer 04 Leverkusen was rejected by Ayegbeni who simply wanted to play in England.

Permanent option
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp and the clubs' general manager Peter Storrie agreed the loan deal with the player's agent Pini Zehavi which will see Haifa earn €600,000 if Ayegbeni stays in England until the end of the season. Should Portsmouth, who are five points clear at the top of the first division, win promotion to the Premiership, the player will be able to make a permanent move to the club for a further €6m.

Fine investment
Ayegbeni, who was bought by Haifa owner Ya'acov Schahar at the age of 17 for a fee estimated at €500,000, has proved a wise investment. The talented Nigerian will line-up at Fratton Park alongside Svetoslav Todorov of Bulgaria, who has already scored 12 goals this season, as well as former Arsenal FC and England international Paul Merson.