The 34-year-old former England international signed a two-year contract, City said. The fee could double if Cole plays a certain number of games.

Cole joined City from Fulham in July 2005. He had signed an additional one-year contract deal for this season and was then offered another for the following season.

``It's an opportunity for me to play for another two years and I hope to do my best for Portsmouth Football Club, score a few goals and get the club into the top 10, which is what they're aiming to do this season,'' Cole said.

Thursday marked the final day player moves could happen prior to the end of the August transfer window.

Cole joins several experienced new arrivals at Portsmouth, including goalkeeper David James, who also moved from Manchester City, defender Sol Campbell and striker Nwankwo Kanu.

``I know the club are trying to push forward, buying players and trying to start something new and I want to be a part of that,'' Cole said.

Cole, who also played for Arsenal, Newcastle, Manchester United and Blackburn, started 20 league games last season before injuring a knee in February and missing the rest of the season.

Portsmouth, which finished 17th last season, also has forwards Svetoslav Todorov, Ivica Mornar, Benjami Mwaruwari and Lomana LuaLua in its squad.