Robert Prosinecki has quit Portsmouth for a £50,000 a week contract at Japanese side Grampus Eight.

The Croatian international captain signed for Pompey last summer on a two-year contract but had a get-out clause after one season.

Although his friendship with Milan Mandaric was initially thought likely to keep him at the club for another season, the offer from Grampus was much higher than anticipated and, at 33, a guaranteed £7.5m over three years proved too good to resist.

Prosinecki said: "I am sorry to leave Portsmouth, but I have an opportunity to go to Japan which I am excited about. My number one regret however is leaving the great supporters at Fratton Park.

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

Mandaric added: "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.

"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.

"Though I am disappointed he will leave behind him a lot of great memories and warmth.

"He is coming to the twilight of his career and in the end this opportunity was too tempting for him to turn down."