TEDDY SHERINGHAM admitted the chance to continue playing in the top flight made a move to Pompey irresistible.
The 37-year-old former Millwall, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham, Manchester Utd and England striker yesterday completed his move to Fratton Park, joining summer signings Patrik Berger, Dejan Stefanovic and Boris Zivkovic as manager Harry Redknapp builds a side he hopes will retain Pompey's Premiership status.
"It's the lure of the Premiership," admitted Sheringham.
"I still think I've got something to offer and when Harry came calling I had to listen. I didn't take much convincing.
"I am looking to stay fit and enjoy playing my football. I've got a nice feeling about Portsmouth. I'm very optimistic about coming here.
"I've spoken to a lot of players about coming here. You ask around and find out what's what. It's not a signing on a whim.
"You always have to think carefully about what you're doing in this game.
"There was a bit of interest from other people, but I'm happy to be here."
Sheringham admitted the prospect of playing for Redknapp had appealed to him.
"I thought it was very important that I would be playing with somebody that I can communicate with," he added.
Redknapp says he is relishing the thought of Sheringham linking up with Paul Merson, another former international.
"Merse has still got a lot to offer and there's no reason why they (Sheringham and Merson) can't play together," said the former West Ham boss.
"You need people who you are sure can do a job for you. There is no doubt that he is a Premier League player."
Redknapp added: "Look at Teddy's career - he's been there and done it all.
"It would be difficult for me to say he's the biggest signing in Portsmouth's history - but they don't come much bigger.
"I should have signed him a few years back when I was at West Ham - but it was difficult persuading my chairman he wasn't too old.
"But age doesn't matter when players keep themselves as fit as Teddy has - and you retain the enthusiasm to play the game."
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