Matt Holland today completed a £750,000 move to Charlton Athletic.
The Ipswich Town skipper has signed a four-year deal after negotiations were completed over the weekend.
Holland's fee could rise to £900,000, with three further instalments of £50,000 payable over the next three seasons depending on the Addicks staying in the Premiership.
Charlton's bid kick-started a dramatic sequence of events on Friday, with Colchester-based Holland looking on course for a move to Portsmouth.
That move fell through, though, when the player and his agent could not agree personal terms with Fratton Park chief executive Peter Storrie.
That paved the way for Charlton to match Pompey's bid and the player signed forms before jetting off on a family holiday to Mauritius.
Addicks boss Alan Curbishley said: "I'm delighted to get Matt.
"He is a quality international player and will be a valuable addition to the first-team squad."
Holland - who will be reunited with former team-mate Hermann Hreidarsson - made 314 appearances for the Blues, missed only one League game during that time, and he scored 69 goals.
He said: "I felt part of the furniture at Portman Road but I am 29 now and want to be playing in the Premiership."
Published Monday, June 16, 2003
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