Both arrivals at Fratton Park have signed on four-year contracts, with Redknapp looking for another striker or winger before the new Barclays Premier League campaign as well as agree a fresh deal with Kanu.

"I've got a couple of options," said Redknapp. "Another forward, maybe a wide man."

Redknapp believes the club have made a shrewd investment by spending around £6million on Nugent, who scored on his England debut and was a regular for the Under-21s.

Roy Keane withdrew Sunderland's offer to Preston for the striker but there were no other clubs in for the 22-year-old, despite consistently being linked with Everton.

"They're my boyhood club but I'm not going to wait around for ever," said Nugent.

Redknapp flew north to meet Nugent, who in turn travelled south to finalise the deal earlier in the week and will now travel to Devon to prepare for his rookie season in the top flight with his new team-mates.

"There's a shortage of top-class English strikers in the country, he's got every opportunity," Redknapp said. "Hopefully he can keep scoring and get into the England squad.

"We thought that it's nice to bring a young one in. He wants to play Premier League football and it was only really me and Roy Keane who would put our head on the line.

"Money wasn't a factor. They made an offer and Roy wanted a decision. David went away and he said 'I need a decision'. Maybe he felt David didn't show the commitment straight away."

Pompey beat other Premier League clubs to the signing of Utaka from French side Rennes He is thought to cost around £7million, which would rival the fee Pompey paid for Sulley Muntari earlier in the summer.

"He has three terrible attributes - he's quick, strong and skilful," said Redknapp.

Chief executive Peter Storrie added: "It was a long battle. He's had a lot of pressure from other clubs not to come here."

Utaka, the 25-year-old Nigeria international, credited Redknapp with a role in persuading him to sign.

"The coach and the fans," was his explanation. "Football is a game of passion and this is biggest league in the world."

Utaka also spoke to Kanu before making his move, although it remains unclear whether the striker who led Pompey's attack last season will be at Fratton Park for the new campaign.

He is out of contract and has been offered another year at Fratton Park with an added season if he features in 20 games.

"He's still got a part to play, he can come on and turn a game," said Redknapp.

"He's worried about 20 games. If you don't play 20 games you're not worth another year really. He'll play 20 I'm sure."

Redknapp wants to keep Kanu to maintain numbers in attack as Pompey look to improve on last season's impressive top-half finish in the Premier League.

"Everyone is getting stronger," Redknapp added. "There's Newcastle, West Ham won't want a bad season, Roy Keane doesn't want to lose with Sunderland. It's going to be tough league but I'm looking forward to it.

"Every club needs four strikers. Look at Tottenham, Jermain Defoe's number four and then there's Mido."