Portsmouth have announced Michael Appleton as the club's new manager on a three-and-a-half-year contract.

The former West Bromwich Albion assistant head coach was strongly linked to the job with the Championship side last week.

The 35-year-old takes charge of Fratton Park after the departure of Steve Cotterill, who was appointed Nottingham Forest boss three weeks ago.

"I'm delighted and excited to be taking the job and hopefully I can share that enthusiasm and excitement out around the club," Appleton told the club's official website.

"It was very difficult to leave West Brom because I had spent nearly a third of my life there and had made a lot of good friends and worked with good people.

"But it was time for me to take on a different challenge, and this is one I'm really excited about."

Appleton is an ex-Manchester United player but was forced to cut short his career due to a knee injury.