By Julian Shea

Kanu has had an instant impact at new club Portsmouth

Portsmouth striker Kanu chose playing for boss Harry Redknapp over the chance to compete in the Champions League.

Pompey are the Premiership pace-setters and Kanu, 30, says it was Redknapp who persuaded him to pick the south-coast club in August after he left West Brom.

He told BBC Sport: "I chose to play for Harry because I had heard so much from other people about playing for him.

"I had offers from Hamburg and from Spain but could see Portsmouth would do well and I wanted to be part of it."

We will keep our heads down and try to grab as many points as we can before we meet the big boys Kanu

After a career spent at Ajax, Inter Milan and Arsenal, the Nigerian admits life at The Hawthorns - and the new experience of a relegation battle - were a bit of a culture shock.

"When I signed with West Brom, it was like seeing another life," he said.

"Things aren't the same anymore but it's good because it means you taste a different life apart from the one you are used to and that makes you a better, stronger person, so you appreciate the good life."

Five years at Arsenal produced two FA Cup winner's medals and two Premiership titles but life at the other end of the Premiership with West Brom was more of a challenge.

Having left a club who had just been relegated, his decision to join Portsmouth, who had narrowly avoided the drop themselves, may have seemed a surprise.

But with a family settled in England, Kanu was not keen to move abroad - and once he knew Redknapp was interested in him, then the feeling was mutual.

Kanu says Redknapp's style makes for a happy atmosphere

"I had other clubs interested, so it was up to me to make the decision where to go, then suddenly I had Harry knocking at the door," revealed Kanu.

"Everyone knows him and everyone wants to play for him. I chose to play for Harry because I had heard so much from other people about him."

And his leap of faith has been rewarded in spectacular fashion, with Pompey top of the Premiership having won four of their first five games - during which time Kanu has scored four goals.

However, characteristically, Kanu is keeping his famously large feet on the ground.

"I don't think anybody would expect us to be first in the League but football is unpredictable," he said.

"We're not getting carried away, though, we're experienced, so we will keep our heads down and try to grab as many points as we can before we meet the big boys."

A key factor in Portsmouth's impressive start is their defensive tightness - which may well be explained by Redknapp's choice of assistant manager, Kanu's former Arsenal team-mate Tony Adams.

Kanu played with Pompey assistant boss Tony Adams at Arsenal

"Tony is a leader and wants to win, so he pushes people to work harder," stated Kanu.

"Having him around makes you work harder because he has achieved everything and we look up to him and want to do the same.

"He encourages everyone so for him to be part of the team is very important - and it's paying off."

But Kanu is keen to stress that their success is down to a team effort, largely because of the team spirit and feel-good factor Redknapp has engendered in his squad.

"The whole team is working very hard - it's not just the tight defence, it's the midfield and goalkeeper too," he said.

"Everybody wants to work for the manager. He encourages and appreciates players and knows their strengths and weaknesses.

"Whenever you are happy, you produce your best - and that is what Harry has given to the team."