The 28-year-old striker is currently the only senior striker at the club, and has a record of 97 goals in 350 appearances across his career.
The deal does, however, see Marcus Harness go in the opposite direction on a permanent transfer.
Harness played 134 games for Pompey, finding the net on 31 occasions. A key player in his 3 years at Fratton Park, the exit will come as somewhat of a concern given the proximity to the season and a lack of obvious replacement.
You would hope, therefore, that there are more signings lined up over the weekend and that this isn’t it. It doesn’t seem to be a coincidence that Pompey chose to announce this after 11pm, perhaps hoping to avoid some of the inevitable backlash.
Those that are still awake, however, have taken the news exactly as you would expect when seeing arguably your best player going to strengthen a league rival:
One loan in and arguably our best forward off on a permanent to strengthen our league rivals, shocking 😂
— Will (@WillHughes_) July 15, 2022
Arguably the worst bit of business we have ever done. Who the fuck is running the club?!
— James Rafter (@jamesrafter94) July 15, 2022
— Matt Wood 🏴 🇪🇺 (@m___wood) July 15, 2022
