Striker Andy Cole joins Portsmouth

LONDON, Aug 31 (Reuters) Portsmouth have signed former England striker Andy Cole from Premier League rivals Manchester City on a two-year contract, the south coast club said today.

The 34-year-old, whose fee could reach one million pounds 1.91 million dollar according to media reports, becomes the latest in a string of close season signings by Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp.

Cole, a member of Manchester United's 1999 Treble-winning squad, told Portsmouth's Web site: ''It's an opportunity for me to play for another two years....score a few goals and get the club into the top 10, which is what they're aiming to do this season.'' The Premier League's second all-time highest scorer with 185 goals, Cole had scored 10 times for City last term before his season was cut short by injury in mid-February.

Capped 15 times by England, Cole established his goalscoring reputation with Newcastle and Manchester United before going on to play for Blackburn Rovers, Fulham and City.

Redknapp's other signings include keeper David James, defender Sol Campbell and striker Nwankwo Kanu.

REUTERS PDS KN1655