Portsmouth give Babayaro chance to impress
Pompey have offered Celestine Babayaro the shock chance to resurrect his Premier League career.
The former Chelsea and Newcastle full-back was a surprise face for the start of pre-season training yesterday.
Babayaro has been a free agent since an ill-fated move to Los Angeles Galaxy ended after just 45 minutes.
Now the 29-year-old is bidding to win a permanent Fratton Park deal after being granted a week's trial.
Harry Redknapp has made no secret of his desire to strengthen the left-back slot which was filled so impressively by Hermann Hreidarsson last term.
Despite the Icelandic international's performances, the Pompey boss is eager for cover.
England internationals Nicky Shorey and Wayne Bridge have been linked with a south-coast switch during the summer.
But Babayaro may fit the bill just as well.
The Nigerian international attracted a 2.25m fee when he joined Chelsea in April 1997 for a then club record transfer sum for a teenager.
He went on to make 197 appearances for the Stamford Bridge club, winning the FA Cup and Charity Shield in the process.
Graeme Souness took him to Newcastle in January 2005 in a 1m deal and he went on to make 68 appearances during an injury-ravaged spell.
Babayaro's Premier League days seemed over when his contract was cancelled by mutual consent in December last year, leaving him struggling to find a new club.
Former Chelsea manager Ruud Gullit offered him the chance of a new life in America at LA Galaxy, where he signed a three-year deal in January.
But two months later it had turned sour after playing just 45 minutes in a pre-season friendly, during which he was booked and gave away a penalty, leading to his contract being waived.
Now he has turned up at Fratton Park in an attempt to get his faltering career back on track.
And should he impress Redknapp and his coaching staff sufficiently, a contract awaits along with the tantalising prospect of European football.
Ironically, Babayaro's arrival echoes that of compatriot Kanu during pre-season for the 2006/07 campaign.
The former Arsenal man netted a deal having come on as striker and two years later is still at Fratton Park.
Cup final matchwinner Kanu is now expected to sign on for another 12 months when he returns to training next week.
Meanwhile, forgotten man Djimi Traore also raised a few eyebrows when he turned up for training yesterday.
The former Liverpool full-back spent the second half of last season on loan at Rennes and was widely expected to seal a permanent move.
But he still remains a Blues player while his future is sorted out, with several French clubs showing interest.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Friday 10 February 2012
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