CROUCH ENDS QPR STAY AS ITALIAN ALSO JOINS

PETER CROUCH has expressed his delight at finally completing his transfer from Queens Park Rangers to Portsmouth, while Graham Rix has also bolstered his squad further by snapping up Alessandro Zamperini.

Lanky striker Crouch finally penned a contract after the formalities of a £1.25 million deal were concluded.

The forward appeared pleased to now have the chance to link up with the Pompey management team.

Crouch said: "I am delighted to sign for Pompey, and their fans are still fresh in my mind from playing down here so recently.  I also remember them from when they visited us when they did not stop.

"Add Graham Rix and Harry Redknapp and it did not take a lot of persuading that this is the place to be.

"I am absolutely excited by the prospects and I am determined to succeed at Pompey."

Crouch added that Pompey`s persuasiveness prompted him to sign with them, saying: "Burnley and Preston both wanted me but Pompey seem the most ambitious club and they wanted me more.

"I am far from the finished article and to learn under people like Graham will have a tremendous bearing on my career."

Rix, meanwhile, has beaten off interest from a host of clubs to lure Zamperini to Fratton Park.

The 19-year-old Italian defender was supposed to move from Roma to West Ham, but problems concerning his registration foiled the deal.

He had a trial with Everton last term, but his stay at Goodison Park was cut short after he was stretchered off during a practice match.

It would seem that Pompey`s former West Ham manager Harry Redknapp had a lot to do with the player signing a two-year deal.

Pompey`s director of football revealed what attracted him to the defender, saying: "He's a tall lad with a great left foot and also has great physique, a good build and is good in the air.

"He is worth taking a chance on because he could turn out to be an exceptional talent."

In a third deal, Pompey have also completed the signing of Chelsea youngster Courtney Pitt.