New Sparta Prague signing Patrik Berger has revealed he almost signed for Portsmouth in January.

Berger told the Portsmouth News: "It just came down to my family in the end. I nearly joined Pompey in January but Villa wanted a fee. I spoke to Harry again after the FA Cup final and he told me the offer was still there if I was still interested.

"I was very tempted, but I have two teenage children who wanted to return home. So I had the choice of being away from my wife and family for a year or going back to play in the Czech Republic again.

"I really enjoyed my time at Portsmouth. I enjoyed working with Harry, the fans really are the best in the league, and I loved living on the south coast.

"But it was just the right time for me to return home."

Pompey boss Harry Redknapp confirmed he was eager to bring Berger back for a second spell.

Redknapp said: "I had a chat with Patrik and I would have taken him again. We were talking but in the end he wanted to go back to the Czech Republic.

"He's a very talented player - we've seen that before and he would have been a good addition, even if it was only for a year. He would have certainly helped our squad, but it wasn't to be."