Kanu fired by European ambitions
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Article summary
Nwankwo Kanu has signed a new one-year deal with Portsmouth FC, citing the prospect of UEFA Cup action this season as a key factor behind his decision to stay.
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Important strike
The 32-year-old Nigerian international's previous deal expired at the end of last season, after his goal against Cardiff City FC earned Portsmouth the FA Cup and a berth in the UEFA Cup. A UEFA Champions League winner with AFC Ajax in 1995, Kanu has attracted a lot of interest from the United States but, with a return to European competition in the offing, he has opted to remain in England.
European ambition
"I love it here and I want to be part of the team so I'm happy to have signed my contract," said the former FC Internazionale Milano and Arsenal FC man, whose new deal includes an additional 12-month option. "Scoring at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final and then the final meant a lot to me. We're in the history books now, because this is the first time we're going to be competing in Europe. Everybody wants to play in Europe, and being in the UEFA Cup gives us an opportunity to attract great players to the club."
