Paul
Merson has signed a two-year deal with First Division Portsmouth,
and insisted the lure of first-team football was the key.
The
34-year-old moves to Fratton Park on a free transfer after falling
out of favour with Aston Villa boss Graham Taylor, who had only
promised Merson a bit-part role if he stayed at Villa Park for the
forthcoming season.
The former Middlesbrough and Arsenal star was unveiled at a press
conference on Tuesday and said: "Plain and simple I have come
down here to play football.
"Moving down a division does not worry me in the slightest
because I had one of the happiest times when I was at Middlesbrough
down in the same league."
Merson signed for Villa in September 1998 for £6.5m, and his
four-year stay saw him eventually named as club captain - although
a string of injury problems meant that he managed just 18 Premiership
starts last season.
The former England forward has agreed a pay-off with Villa chief
Taylor on the remainder of his Villa contract, and will reportedly
earn up to £15,000 a week with Harry Redknapp's men.
He is now set to make his debut in the Nationwide League opener
at home to Nottingham Forest this coming Saturday.
