Portsmouth have pulled off the signing of Argentina international playmaker Andres D'Alessandro on loan for the rest of the season with a view to a permanent deal.
The Wolfsburg playmaker has become Harry Redknapp's ninth signing of the January transfer window and is the most exciting arrival since Alexandre Gaydamak's recent investment in the club.
Redknapp said of the 24-year-old on the club's website, pompeyfc.co.uk: "The boy is a really influential playmaker and you can't have too many of those. This is a massive signing at the club for sure.
Wolfsburg paid River a club record £6.15million for the 24-year-old in 2003 but he ruled out a return to Buenos Aires as his wife is seven months pregnant and currently unable to travel.
Borussia Monchengladbach held talks with the player at the weekend but they were unable to match Wolfsburg's valuation, reported to be in the region of £4.4million.
D'Alessandro has fallen out of favour at Wolfsburg after coach Klaus Augenthaler dropped him for displaying a bad attitude to training.
