Irish midfielder arrives at Fratton

Pompey have completed the signing of midfielder Michael Doyle.





The 33-year-old has penned a one-year deal at Fratton Park after leaving Sheffield United at the end of last season.





And he is thriving on the fact that the bookies have made the Blues favourites for League Two promotion.





Doyle said: “I’m happy that it’s all done. Now I want to crack on and try to help this club move back up through the divisions again.





“This is a massive club and if you achieve something here then you’ll always be remembered.





“There’s a lot of pressure when you’re at a big side and I’m sure it will be no different here, but that’s something I enjoy.





“People will make us favourites to win promotion, so we need to make sure we can live up to those expectations.





“The club are making the right statements off the pitch and now it’s up to us to do a job on it.”





Doyle is already eagerly anticipating the opportunity to perform at a packed Fratton Park.





He said: “I’m looking forward to playing in front of large and passionate crowds. It certainly whets the appetite.”





Doyle – who has one Republic of Ireland cap – came through the ranks at Celtic, but moved south of the border to join Coventry in 2003.





He made almost 300 appearances for the Sky Blues and had a spell on loan at Leeds before signing for Sheffield United in January 2011.





Doyle netted 10 goals in 231 games for the Blades and was part of the side that reached the League One play-offs and Capital One Cup semi-finals last term.



