Portsmouth midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng believes his move to Fratton Park has given his career a new lease of life after two years in the cold at Tottenham.

The 22-year-old has become a vital cog in Paul Hart's side since joining the Fratton Park outfit for £4million in August.

However, he was given very little chance to shine at White Hart Lane and was dogged by questions about his attitude off the field as he struggled to get games under Martin Jol, Juande Ramos and Harry Redknapp.

Having netted twice in eight Premier League appearances for the south coast strugglers, Boateng is happy to be putting his troubled run in north London behind him.

Boateng said: "First of all when I came to Tottenham, Martin Jol didn't want to sign me. It was (director of football Damien) Comolli who signed me. I came to the club and the gaffer didn't even know me.

"Then he was sacked and (Juande) Ramos came. I played a couple of games and then he said to me that I wasn't good enough.

"So he dropped me and then I wasn't in the squad for 18 weeks. After 12 weeks, I went and asked him why I wasn't playing. But he just said 'keep training, keep training."'

Boateng admits he was never given an explanation for his constant omission from the Tottenham side.

He added: "I didn't know how to handle this, so I did stupid things like arguing with people and so on.

"The first time I argued, the second time I argued - then I was finished. I didn't play anymore.

"Then Harry came and people went to him and said 'Boateng is crazy, he is stupid. He's a good footballer, but he's stupid."'

There is no doubt Boateng has come of age since joining Portsmouth and he admits one huge factor in his turnaround has been becoming a father.

The player says his wife Jennifer and baby son Jermaine Prince, whose images are tattooed on his back, have had a significant steadying effect on his life and career.

He added: "When I was in Germany, they said I was the biggest talent in Germany and I thought I was the best player in the world.

"Then Jennifer came along and said 'who do you think you are?'

"I've known her seven years and we've been together six. We have a flat in Southampton near the docks - we moved in just three weeks ago.

"I like it down here - it's small, the people are nice. There's not too much to do - you just have some dinner and go back home.

"In London, you can't just have dinner and go home. People say 'no, no, come this way' and then you're in the clubs.

"I don't want to go out anymore. Even when we win a game and even when I score, I just want to go home and see my little boy."

Having changed clubs, Boateng is also set to switch allegiances on the international stage and line up for Ghana at the African Nations Cup and World Cup next year.

The German-born player qualifies to represent the Black Stars through his father and despite appearing for Germany at Under-21 level, a senior call never came his way.

Boateng said: "I talked to my wife and my father because it was a big decision for me. Through all the youth teams, I had played for Germany.

"But they said it would be great for me because at 22 I would be playing for a national team in all the big tournaments.

"I could have played in 2006 - Ghana wanted me for the World Cup in Germany but I said no.

"I still saw my chance in Germany. But here I am now and I'm happy to play for Ghana."