Portsmouth make Belhadj move permanent

(CNN) -- Portsmouth have signed Algerian international Nadir Belhadj on a permanent deal after his successful loan spell with the Premier League club.

The versatile 26-year-old has signed a four-and-half-year contract after Pompey agreed a fee of £4.4million ($6.45 million) with French top-flight club Lens.

Belhadj, who has scored twice in 23 appearances this season, will officially become a Portsmouth player when the transfer window opens on January 1.

Manager Tony Adams told the club's Web site: "I am delighted to have secured Nadir as a permanent signing.

"Nadir is an excellent acquisition for the club and even Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger commented on his ability to spring from defence to attack so quickly."

Belhadj has been plying his trade for Portsmouth at left-back, but can also move forward to play in midfield.

His permanent acquisition will help alleviate the fears of Pompey fans that the club will be forced to sell several star players in the January transfer window.

Midfielder Lassana Diarra has already departed to Real Madrid while striker Jermain Defoe has been linked with a return to Tottenham Hotspur and with Aston Villa.

In other English football news on Tuesday, former Italy and Chelsea star Roberto Di Matteo has signed an extended deal to manage third-flight MK Dons.

Di Matteo took over when Paul Ince departed to Blackburn in the summer and has seen the aspiring club into the promotion spots in League One.

Premier League strugglers West Bromwich Albion also revealed that defender Neil Clement would miss the rest of the season as he battles a knee injury sustained in pre-season.