Portsmouth have made the loan signing of highly rated young French defender Lucien Aubey. Aubey is currently at Lens, but many believed Arsenal would make a swoop for the Cameroonian defender, but it seems Portsmouth will be his next destination.

Aubey, who can play anywhere along the left side of the pitch, was also reportedly a target for Birmingham City but has opted to join fellow Frenchmen Lassana Diarra at Fratton Park.

The arrival of Aubey has also seen the temporary departure of Djimi Traore. The ex-Liverpool defender has signed for French club Rennes until the end of the season, with the option of a permanent deal in the summer.

Republic of Congo-born Aubey only arrived at Lens from Toulouse last summer, where he made 151 appearances in six years.

Pompey boss Harry Redknapp told the club's official website: "He's big, strong and quick. I watched him several times.

"He can play left-back, down the left-side and centre-half. I thought he would be an interesting loan." The 23-year-old former France Under-21 international has played 19 times this season for Lens and will go straight into the Pompey squad for the clash with rock-bottom Derby County.