The transfer window slammed shut at 11pm last night, with Pompey managing to squeeze one more deal over the line. Josh Koroma arrived on loan from Huddersfield in a loan deal until the end of the season.
It brought an end to a busy summer window for the Blues, with 12 players arriving in PO4.
Marlon Pack, Michael Morrison, Joe Rafferty, Tom Lowery & Josh Oluwayemi all arrived on free transfers and the majority have had a fantastic start to their Pompey careers. Pack, in particular, has been a game-changer.
Zak Swanson arrived from Arsenal for an undisclosed fee and has struggled to break in to the first-team. But the young full-back is one for the future, and showed glimpses of his potential in the EFL Trophy.
Then, of course, there was the arrival of Colby Bishop from Accrington Stanley. Pompey’s new number 9 has hit the ground running, scoring 4 goals in his first 6 games for the Blues.
Portsmouth have also utilised the loan market to bolster their numbers. Five players have joined on a temporary basis. Josh Koroma from Huddersfield, Josh Griffiths from West Brom, Owen Dale from Blackpool, Dane Scarlett from Tottenham and Joe Pigott from Ipswich. The majority have been first-team regulars and have impressed the Fratton Faithful.
Departures have been busy too. Aiden O’Brien, Shaun Williams, Callum Johnson and Oliver Webber all departed on free transfers and have since joined clubs in League One, League Two, Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively. Paul Downing also departed, though he is yet to find a club.
Marcus Harness also departed, joining League One rivals Ipswich in a fee reportedly similar to the one Portsmouth paid for his services back in 2019. Necessary business, considering Harness would have left on a free next summer.
Academy graduate Alex Bass signed for Championship side Sunderland for an undisclosed fee, but has so far failed to impress in his limited game time.
Haji Mnoga and Liam Vincent have also departed on loan to hopefully get some valuable minutes and compete for first-team places next season.
Overall, a successful window for Pompey. The squad is in a far better position than it was this time last year and there is a real belief inside Fratton Park. Credit must go to Danny Cowley, Andy Cullen and the owners.
