Traore joins Pompey on loan

7:19pm Thursday 21st August 2008

Portsmouth have signed Arsenal's French left-back Armand Traore on a one-year loan deal.

Traore, who joined the Gunners from Monaco in 2005, has made 18 first-team appearances, including the 2006 Carling Cup final.

Fellow Frenchman Mikael Silvestre's surprise £750,000 move to Emirates Stadium from Manchester United has given Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger the opportunity to send out the highly-rated 18-year-old to Fratton Park for more first-team experience.

Pompey have turned winger Jerome Thomas' loan move from Charlton into a permanent one-year deal to free up more space for extra loan transfers to fit in with the Premier League's maximum of four per season per club.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp already has Chelsea striker Ben Sahar on a six-month loan deal.