Harry Redknapp has wished former England international Andy Cole
well after agreeing to cancel the remaining two years of the
striker's contract.
Cole, 35, joined Pompey a year ago from Manchester City in a
£500,000 move and scored four goals in 22 appearances, many of them
as a substitute.
But his exit from Fratton Park was on the cards from the latter
stages of last season when he went on loan to Birmingham after
complaining he was not getting enough games.
Manager Harry Redknapp said: 'Andy wants to play regularly and we
couldn't guarantee that here. Let's hope he can do that wherever he
goes next.'
Birmingham did not follow up their loan with a permanent offer
despite winning promotion last season and the player's substantial
wages are believed to have frightened off Nottingham Forest and
Hull.
Relegated Charlton, however, have shown an interest after releasing
another veteran striker in Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink and selling
Darren Bent to Tottenham for around £16million.
Cole, menwhile, has a 'burning ambition' to remain in the Premier
League and become a member of the highly exclusive 200 goals
club.
He said: 'It is a shame things haven't worked out at Portsmouth.
But I'm relieved that it has been sorted out and I can now look
forward again.
'I still have a hunger and a burning ambition to score 200 Premier
League goals. I have scored goals throughout my career and I now
have that added incentive of reaching another personal
milestone.
'A number of clubs have shown interest in signing me both from the
Premier League and the Championship. I hope to agree terms with a
new club before the start of the season.'
In contrast, Kanu's new deal at Fratton Park looks like a formality
after his agent revealed the striker is now 'comfortable' with the
terms on offer.
It is believed that Kanu, who will miss a large chunk of the season
if he plays for Nigeria in the African Nations Cup in January, has
agreed a one-year deal with a clause that stipulates he earns
another year after playing 16 league games.
Kanu's representative Samuel Okoronkwo admitted: 'It has been
protracted, almost like toothache, and Kanu has had to say no to
some Spanish teams who were very keen.
'But we managed to strike an agreement with Peter Storrie (Pompey
chief executive) and we are comfortable with the terms.'
