The 18-year-old landed at Fratton Park on a season-long loan deal from Arsenal.
For Redknapp, it ends a two-year pursuit of a player he regards as one of the outstanding young players in the Premier League.

Traore has already been capped by France at under-19 level, helping them qualify for the UEFA Championships earlier this year.

The Blues boss is convinced he can progress beyond that by becoming an international regular with France at senior level.

And with regular games under his belt at Pompey to aid his development,

Redknapp's sure it can happen sooner rather than later.

He said: 'I've seen a lot of Armand. I've watched him a dozen times, he's a fantastic young talent in my opinion.

'He's just very unlucky he's been kept out of the team by a great left-back in Clichy, but he's an 18-year-old kid who I'm sure will go on to be a French international.

'He's a top young player and I'm well pleased we've got him.

'The lad can play left-back, he can play wide left, he can play left wing-back, he's got several positions he can play. He'll be a big asset to us I'm sure.

'Armand was about 16 when I first set eyes on him when I saw him play against our reserves two years ago. I've always followed him since then.

'At the time I just thought what a fantastic young player, but it's been hard for him to get a game with Clichy being such a good player.

'But he's got pace, he can run, go up and down. I felt we lacked a bit of pace last week all over at Chelsea.

'We need a couple of quick players in the club at the moment.'
Pompey had to fight off some fierce competition to bring the Arsenal man to the south coast.

Sunderland, West Ham, Manchester City, Newcastle, Hull and Stoke all made approaches to take him on a season-long loan.

But it was Pompey who emerged as Traore's first choice. Redknapp added: 'There were six other Premier League clubs who tried to sign him.

'It was a strange situation, it was a case of bidding. Peter had to put a bid in to the Arsenal people.

'But all the clubs put the same sort of bids in – and he preferred to come to us.

'I asked about him last year, this year.

'We kept pushing it and pushing it, hoping, and then suddenly Arsene made up his mind he would loan him.

'Once he did that there were six other good Premier League clubs all wanting to take him.
'All outside the big four, but all big clubs who wanted him on loan, so it shows you the quality of the boy.'