Mullins leaves West Ham for Portsmouth

By Simon Hayes on January 26, 2009 11:47 AM |

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Hayden Mullins has left West Ham to join Premier League rivals Portsmouth.

The 29-year-old midfielder completed a move to Fratton Park this morning for an undisclosed fee.

Mullins was former manager Alan Pardew's first signing for the Hammers, joining Crystal Palace for £800,000 in October 2003.

He was a key part of the West Ham side promoted from the Championship in 2005 but missed the Irons FA Cup final defeat against Liverpool the following year because of suspension.

He played 213 games for the Irons, scoring seven goals, but has found first team starts hard to come by this season, prompting his decision to move on.

His last appearance in the claret and blue shirt was as a 75th minute substitute in West Ham's 2-0 FA Cup win at Hartlepool on Saturday.

West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola said: "I wish Hayden well for the future. I did not want to lose him but at this point in his career he wanted to play regularly and I respect his wishes.

"He asked me if he could talk to Portsmouth and I could have said 'No' but he is a man that has shown this club a lot of respect. He has been loyal and it would not have been fair to stand in his way."

The Irons are expected to complete the signing of 19-year-old forward Savio Nsereko from Brescia this week.