Portsmouth signed the Algeria defender Nadir Belhadj on loan from Lens for the rest of the season today. The 26-year-old left back, who will wear No 39 for Pompey, could join permanently at the end of the season if he impresses manager Harry Redknapp. Belhadj will probably compete for a place in the team with Armand Traore, who is on a year-long loan from Arsenal. The 18-year-old Traore was in the starting squad for the 1-0 loss to Manchester United on Aug 25 but missed Saturday's 3-0 win at Everton - Pompey's first victory this season. "The club have chased me for a while now and when I heard that they wanted me, there was only one place I wanted to come," Belhadj said. "I like the system that the side played against Everton at the weekend. It suits me because I have a lot of pace and I like to run a lot." Belhadj has also played for Gueugnon and Sedan, with whom he won promotion to the top flight of French football and reached the French Cup final. * AP