The 22-year-old, who won his first England cap as a goalscoring substitute in the European Championship qualifier against Andorra in Barcelona, looks set to sign a four-year contract to become manager Harry Redknapp's sixth signing of the summer and partially solve his striker shortage.

Redknapp confirmed the player would be undergoing all the usual medical checks in the morning and admitted he was looking forward to working with the Preston star.

"I think he deserves his chance at the top level and I'm delighted to have him," said the Pompey boss.

"It shows you how far we have come. We have bought some real good players in and I think David will have a good season for us.,

"There are not that many people scoring lots of goals so, if he gets into double figures we will be delighted."

Nugent's capture is not likely to be the last at Fratton Park, while Redknapp said he also hoped to secure a new contract for Kanu.

"We are talking to Kanu. I am hoping we can sort a deal out and keep him for next year," Redknapp told Sky Sports News.

"We are still short up front. We are looking to bring in a couple of strikers; David will be the first of them and then we are looking for another one."

Rennes striker John Utaka, Kanu's front-line partner in the Nigeria national side, is another striker under Pompey's microscope and they could press ahead with a deal for him despite another £6million valuation from the French club.

Nugent will be expected to link up with his new team-mates on their trip to the west country ahead of Saturday's opening pre-season friendly with Yeovil.

And he will also travel with the squad to Hong Kong for the Asia Cup next week.

He follows defenders Sylvain Distin, Hermann Hreidarsson and Martin Cranie plus two midfielders, £7million Sulley Muntari and £1.5million Arnold Mvuemba, into the club.

And the continuing transfer activity will certainly please Sol Campbell, last season's star signing, who insists Pompey need more "serious" firepower up front to be a force again next term.

Campbell faces competition for his own position at the back from newcomers Distin and Hreidarsson but insists: "The team is good shape but for me the real buzz [about the new season] won't come until I see some serious players up front."

Despite moves to recruit the likes of Sevilla's Fredi Kanoute and Tottenham's Jermain Defoe appearing to be blocked, Campbell has pledged his own future to the club and is ready to fight for his place after recovering from an Achilles injury picked up at the end of last season.

He insists: "I know the club has got to do its deals and it is difficult because everybody wants the top players, but if we can add more strength up front it will make all the difference."