Portsmouth offer James new contract
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Portsmouth have confirmed new contracts have been offered to England goalkeeper David James, defenders Hermann Hreidarsson and Ricardo Rocha as well as veteran forward Kanu.
The Fratton Park club - £138million in debt - are preparing for life in the Coca-Cola Championship and hope to come out of administration, which saw them docked nine points by the Premier League, for the start of the new campaign.
Administrator Andrew Andronikou yesterday revealed the club hoped to retain some of their first-team squad to give Pompey a "firm base" on which to build.
While it remains to be seen whether manager Avram Grant, who is a target for West Ham, will be in charge next season, the south coast club hope today's news we provide a positive start going forwards.
James will turn 40 in the summer, and has yet to confirm his plans for after the World Cup.
Hreidarsson, 35, missed the end of the season and the FA Cup final at Wembley with an Achilles injury.
Rocha, the 31-year-old former Portugal international, and Kanu, 33, are seen as key to giving Pompey some much-needed experience next season.
Promising youngsters Lenny Sowah, Joel Ward and Marlon Pack will also be retained.
However, many of the on-loan players - like Jamie O'Hara and Aruna Dindane, a target for Bolton - will return to their parent clubs.
Anthony Vanden Borre, though, could come back if a deal can be agreed with Genoa.
Veteran defender Steve Finnan is among those released.
A statement on the club's official website, www.portsmouthfc.co.uk, read: "Preparations for Pompey's 2010/11 season are already under way, as the football club looks to build a strong squad capable of challenging for the Championship title.
"The football club can confirm it has offered new contracts to influential first-team FA Cup heroes David James, Kanu, Hermann Hreidarsson and Ricardo Rocha.
"It's hoped the popular quartet will bring a wealth of experience and strength to the Blues' side as they seek to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
"A number of Pompey's rising stars have also been approached with new deals to keep them at Fratton Park.
"Lennard Sowah, Matt Ritchie and Joel Ward have all been offered contracts, following their impressive breakthroughs at the end of the season.
"They are joined by fellow youngsters Marlon Pack and Tom Kilbey, along with reserve keeper Jon Stewart.
"Fratton favourite Linvoy Primus has also been offered a position at the club, following his retirement from football.
"And Pompey's coaching staff have identified a number of players in different positions that they would like to bring into the squad, with work ongoing in this area.
"Loan stars Jamie O'Hara (Tottenham), Hassan Yebda (Benfica), Aruna Dindane (Lens) and Frederic Piquionne (Lyon) all rejoin their parent clubs.
"Anthony Vanden Borre will also return to Serie A side Genoa, but Pompey are working on a new loan deal that will hopefully allow the defender to be come back to Fratton Park for a further season.
"Angelos Basinas, Jamie Ashdown, Steve Finnan and OJ Koroma have all been released.
"Portsmouth FC would like to thank the departing players for their tremendous service to the club during their time on the south coast."
Andronikou, meanwhile, hopes the Creditors' Voluntary Arrangement will soon be approved, enabling Portsmouth to come out of administration and so avoid another points sanction, this time from the Football League - who could yet decide to continue to enforce the club's ban on registering new players.
Pompey legend Steve Claridge, however, continues to fear for the future of the club, who as yet have no new owner in place.
"There is still a threat to the whole future of the club," said Claridge, who was speaking at the launch of the Pukka Pies England Band's World Cup 2010 campaign.
"They were a judge's decision away from liquidation and they are not out of the woods yet.
"If they don't sort it out soon the situation could never, never be resolved."
Claridge, who had a brief spell as player-manager at Fratton Park in 2000/2001, added: "There is still an awful lot to be played out and it is a worrying time to be a Portsmouth fan."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments