View: Portsmouth complete signing of hard-working 63% striker who can be effective if coached well
Portsmouth have unveiled the club’s 14th signing of the transfer window, bringing in Mark O’Mahony on a season-long loan from Brighton & Hove Albion.
The club took to their official website to confirm completion of the move [28 August] for the teenage Irish striker on Wednesday night, less than 24 hours after he scored his first senior goal for the Premier League side.
O’Mahony was the man to replace stricken debutant Matt O’Riley just nine minutes into Brighton’s 4-0 win over neighbours Crawley Town in the Carabao Cup, and rounded off the scoring after robbing the Crawley defence and finishing smartly.
Portsmouth sign new striker in Mark O’Mahony
John Mousinho will be delighted to have finally got the move for O’Mahony over the line.
The Republic of Ireland U21 international is the first ‘out-and-out’ centre-forward the club have signed amongst all their new recruits, with the likes of Harvey Blair and Elias Sorensen also adept out wide, and was wanted by other EFL clubs.
O’Mahony is a natural finisher, exhibited by his unexpected 81-minute display at the Amex Stadium on Tuesday – he scored his only shot of the match, and grafted hard to dispossess the defender to create himself the opportunity, also winning 100% of his aerial duels and 67% of his challenges on the deck [Fotmob].
At U21 level for Brighton last season, O’Mahony hit double figures in just 11 games, averaging 0.9 goals per match [Sofascore] and earning himself three appearances – one start – in the Premier League for the Seagulls’ first team.
The striker’s Fotmob statistics from Tuesday further illustrated that tenacity to dig in and help his teammates from the front, making three ball recoveries among five defensive actions, and winning both of his two tackles as the hosts kept a clean sheet.
He also made two recoveries in three defensive actions in his sole Premier League start against Bournemouth last season [Fotmob].
O’Mahony accumulated 31 touches throughout the contest including seven in the Crawley box, and although completing neither of his two long ball attempts, showed his fearlessness in possession – his pass accuracy came to 63%, acing 12 of his 19 passes.
Comfortably outranking his xG of 0.39 to round off a convincing win, O’Mahony knows the opponents he faces in the Championship will threaten to a further extent than League One new boys Crawley – but Fratton Park could be just the right place for him to hone his talent and develop.
In other Portsmouth news, a list of who Pompey may look to sell by Friday.
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