PORTSMOUTH - Lassana Diarra maintains he has not made a "mistake" by leaving Arsenal for Portsmouth - but admits it may not be a long stay should a "big club" come in for him again.
The 22-year-old midfielder today completed his widely-predicted move away from Emirates Stadium for a fee understood to be around £5million, although the destination may have come as something of a surprise.
France international Diarra had only joined the Gunners during the summer after becoming frustrated at Chelsea.
However, the regular first-team football he craved did not come under Arsene Wenger, who was keen to keep the player despite only starting him four times in the Barclays Premier League.
With Sulley Muntari, Papa Bouba Diop, John Utaka and Kanu all away at the African Nations Cup, Diarra looks set to be thrown straight into Pompey's starting line-up for this weekend's home game against Derby as Harry Redknapp hands him an instant chance to impress.
Yet despite signing a three-and-a-half-year deal, Diarra openly admits the move is intended to both re-ignite his career ahead of Euro 2008 and help him fulfil his ambition to play at the highest level once again.
"My choice could shock and surprise people, I am conscious of that," Diarra said.
"It isn't Arsenal, it isn't Chelsea - but I know the Portsmouth manager, I know he is going to play me.
"Some are already saying that in going to Portsmouth, I am making a mistake regarding my chances with France.
"But I don't think so. I have thought about it.
"I need to play. I really want to think about myself, about those who appreciate me, who want to see me a little more on the pitch."
Diarra, speaking in the French media, added: "The people at Portsmouth know I will not spend my life at this club.
"If I shine, if a really big club wants me, I know already that everything will go well.
"I am 22 and the most important thing for me is football - my job, my passion."
Diarra quickly became unsettled at Arsenal when he was often left on the fringes of the side.
The midfielder said: "I read that the club wanted to keep me - but when you want to keep someone, you do it by playing them. This hasn't been the case.
"I am very happy. I feel better already because I know I am going to play and string together matches."
Diarra added: "Portsmouth are a respectable club who are enjoying a good start to the season.
"There are talented players here - (Sol) Campbell, Kanu, Benjani (Mwaruwari), Muntari, (Glen) Johnson, (David) James."
Redknapp certainly believes he has pulled off something of a coup in landing the "fantastic", if temperamental, former Le Havre player who will be officially unveiled at a press conference tomorrow.
The Pompey boss declared: "In my opinion he's already one of the best midfield players in the Premier League and has the ability to be one of the best there is.
"He's strong, powerful, quick and can pass the ball. You don't play for France for the last nine or 10 games unless you're top quality.
"I'm delighted he has decided to sign for us rather than a host of other clubs. It's great news for Portsmouth Football Club."
Redknapp continued to reshape his squad by allowing Pompey's own unsettled midfielder Matt Taylor to join Bolton.
The 26-year-old had made 15 appearances this season, but 11 of those were as a substitute.
Redknapp said: "I wanted to keep him, but he wants to play and Nico Kranjcar has been outstanding on the left side of midfield this season."
Full-back Glen Johnson is expected to return to against the Rams having recovered from a sore hamstring.
Midfielder Sean Davis - who has not featured since December 15 - also has an outside chance of returning after being given an injection in his toe to try to speed up his recovery.
