PLAYER PROFILE

Niko Kranjcar

Position: Midfield

Height: 6'1

Weight: 12st 8lbs

Date of Birth: 1984-08-13 Zagreb, Croatia

Niko Kranjcar

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp continued his rebuilding programme at Fratton Park in Auugust 2006 by signing the Croatia international Niko Kranjcar from Hajduk Split.

The 22-year-old midfielder has already represented his country 24 times and played in all three of his side's group games at the 2006 World Cup.

Kranjcar penned a four-year-deal with Portsmouth, but his first season with the club was only a partial success. He may have made nearly 30 appearances, but many of them were as a substitute.

However, in 2007/08 he proved himself an integral part of Harry Redknapp's side, and his success was underlined at the end of the season when Arsene Wenger was reported to be interested in signing him.