Mullins and Pele join Portsmouth

Struggling Portsmouth have brought two new faces into their squad in the shape of West Ham midfielder Hayden Mullins and Porto youngster Pele.

Mullins has signed up for a three-and-half-year-deal for an undisclosed fee while 21-year-old attacking midfielder Pele has agreed to a loan until the end of the season, with a view to permanent move.

Both players will go straight into manager Tony Adams’ squad for Tuesday’s Premier League match with Aston Villa at Fratton Park.

Mullins told the club’s website, www.portsmouthfc.co.uk: “It was a little bit of a shock. I trained on Sunday with West Ham after the game on Saturday and then it all happened very quickly, but I’m very pleased to have joined.

“It was a great experience to have worked under Gianfranco Zola but it’s a great challenge to come here and work with some really talented players.

“I enjoyed my time at West Ham but I was there for five years and thought that maybe it was time for a change.

“Portsmouth are a club with a lot of history. They won the FA Cup last year, so I’m very excited to be here.”

Pele, a Portugal Under-21 international, only joined Porto last summer after previously playing for Inter Milan and scoring in last year’s Italian cup final.

Pele said: “It’s always been an ambition of mine to play in England, to play in the Premier League. I’ve always watched English football, and the crowds are always great here.

“England is the home of football, so it’s fantastic to get this opportunity.”