Prosinecki Is Leaving

Pompey midfielder Robert Prosinecki is leaving Portsmouth to move to Japanese club Grampus Eight. Prosinecki had a pretty sucessful season with Portsmouth with him being picked in the PFA team of the season.

Prosinecki: "I am sorry to leave Portsmouth, but I have an opportunity to go to Japan which I am excited about," Prosinecki told the club's website.

"My number one regret however is leaving the great supporters at Fratton Park.

"They will stay in my memory for a long time. I have enjoyed my relationship with the club and Milan.

"From the bottom of my heart I want to wish Pompey well and hope the team can give the loyal supporters what they deserve next season with a lot of joy on the field."

The Portsmouth Chairman, Milan Mandaric said: "I tried very hard to convince Robert.

"And it is a tribute to the way the club is going that he had to think about it long and hard.

"At the start of the season we made a deal, as two friends, that he would come here to help us out.

"But if there was a substantial higher offer made to him then I would not stand in his way.

Mandaric wanted Prosinecki to stay

"He is one of the few players I have met who is not greedy, but this was an offer which he could not refuse and will enable him to take care of his young family.

"We will miss him on and off the field and I am sure everybody will join me in thanking him for all the entertainment he has provided this season.

"It has been a great honour to see Robert in the blue shirt of Pompey even if it was just the one season."

The Croation will join Grampus after the World Cup and when the transfer deadline is over.