Pompey cancel Zamperini contract

The 20-year-old will return home to Italy after Pompey decided that Zamperini would be surplus to requirements with the current options in the centre of defence that boss Harry Redknapp (pictured) feels he now has.

He signed last summer from Italian Serie A giants Roma but was never able to win a regular first team place with the Division One outfit.

Redknapp told the Portsmouth official website: "Alessandro wanted to go back to Italy where his father owns a restaurant and he goes with my very best wishes.

"He is not fixed up with another team yet but I am sure it won't be too long before he is.

"I have a lot of central defenders at my disposal and given that Alessandro wanted to go back home, combined with all the choices I have, made it common sense for him to do so."