Wigan midfielder Brown joins Portsmouth

WIGAN: Portsmouth signed midfielder Michael Brown from Wigan for a nominal fee on Friday.

The 32-year-old was in the final year of his contract at the DW Stadium and had fallen out of favour since new manager Roberto Martinez's arrival in the close-season.

Wigan revealed the transfer in a statement saying: "Wigan can confirm that midfielder Michael Brown has completed a move to Portsmouth."

Brown, who joined Wigan from Fulham in 2007, will be playing for the seventh club of a much-travelled career that also included spells at Manchester City, Hartlepool, Sheffield United and Tottenham.

He signed a two-year contract with an option for a further year and becomes Portsmouth's second signing in 24 hours after boss Paul Hart snapped up striker Tommy Smith from Watford on Thursday.

"Michael's a player who has shown he can perform at this level," Hart said. "He's very combative and someone who I've admired for many years. He'll add plenty of steel to our side."