South Africa's Mokoena to join Portsmouth

South Africa captain Aaron Mokoena will leave Blackburn Rovers and sign a three-year deal with rival Premier League club Portsmouth.

"I can leave in peace knowing that I've been honest to the team, I've been loyal and the team has been loyal to me," the out-of-contract midfielder told the club's radio station.

"I am going to Portsmouth, I'm going there to play, it is what every player wants to do. I have decided it is time for me to move on."

Mokoena, 28, who has made 139 appearances for Rovers in four years, said his main motivation was to play regular first team football in the run-up to next year's World Cup finals in South Africa.

"I have to play, I have to play week in, week out," he said.

Mokoena, who joined Rovers from Belgian club Genk, started just nine Premier League matches this season.