Soccer: Portsmouth signs Tal Ben-Haim

"It's a big challenge. I think we can turn things around," says Israel international after penning 4-year deal with Premier League's bottom club.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Ben-Haim 248.88 (photo credit: AP [file])
Ben-Haim 248.88
(photo credit: AP [file])
Portsmouth has signed Israeli defender Tal Ben-Haim from Manchester City as it bids to strengthen its defense following the departure of Sylvain Distin to Everton on Friday. The Israel international signed a four-year deal late Monday with the Premier League's bottom club, which has lost its opening four matches. The 27-year-old Ben Haim told The Associated Press: "It's a big challenge. I think we can turn things around." Ben Haim hopes to make his Pompey debut Sept. 12 against Bolton, the club that brought him to England in 2004. After spending three seasons at Bolton, Ben Haim joined Chelsea in the 2007 off-season, but only lasted a year before joining City. After struggling for first-team action at City, he spent the second half of last season on loan at Sunderland.