Sport

Fuller on way to Southampton

Ricardo Fuller making wily moves as he leaps by an opponent. - file

london, cmc

SOUTHAMPTON HAVE finally agreed a fee for Portsmouth's Jamaican striker Ricardo Fuller, one day after being told they would not get the player on a free transfer.

The 25-year old Fuller, out of favour at Portsmouth after one moderate season there, will however have to pass a medical before he can join Southampton, who are playing in the English Championship (Division One) after 27 years in the Premiership.

There is some anxiety surrounding Fuller's medical however as he failed a similar one in June which scuppered a proposed move to new Premiership team Sunderland.

The pacy forward has been bothered by a problematic knee that caused Portsmouth to buy him from Preston North End last summer on a "pay-as-you-play" basis.

He was never bothered by the injury while at the club but failed to make any major impact in 33 starts.

Southampton manager Harry Redknapp, who was responsible for bringing Fuller to Portsmouth when he was boss there last season, said he was happy to have the player ahead of the new season.

"He'll do a good job for us," Redknapp said yesterday.

"We have the go-ahead from Pompey, now we have to deal with the player."

On Tuesday, Portsmouth's chairman Milan Mandaric had stressed that Southampton would not be able to get Fuller on a free transfer and demanded that the club pay something for the player.