Portsmouth pick up Nugent and Utaka

Portsmouth FC have strengthened their attacking options by signing England striker David Nugent and John Utaka of Nigeria.

Nugent talent
The 22-year-old Nugent, who scored against Andorra on his debut for the senior international side in March, has agreed a four-year contract after successfully passing a medical today and joins for a reported €8.8m from Preston North End FC. Nugent started his professional career with Bury FC before moving on to Preston in January 2005, going on to score 33 goals in 94 league appearances for the Championship club. He was also ever present at last month's UEFA European Under-21 Championship, where England reached the semi-finals, scoring against Italy.

Utaka coveted
Utaka, meanwhile, is reported to have cost Portsmouth the same amount as Nugent and leaves Stade Rennais FC after two years with the Ligue 1 side, for whom he scored 22 goals in 63 league appearances after joining from RC Lens in 2005. The 25-year-old has won 27 caps for Nigeria, scoring five goals, and was watched by his new manager Harry Redknapp on several occasions last season, his fifth in France. Both players could make their debuts in the Premier League club's first pre-season friendly, against Yeovil Town FC on Saturday.