Devlin building career off key attribute revealed this season at Portsmouth
Terry Devlin has become an extremely useful asset at Portsmouth over recent months and has been handed a huge reward.
The youngster and Pompey confirmed on Thursday evening (27 February) that he had signed a new contract at Fratton Park until 2028.
Devlin’s commitment is a great sign for the supporters and is reciprocated, with the Blues feeling they have a player with a key attribute for the seasons ahead that never goes underestimated at this level.
Devlin contract update is great news
Devlin has become an increasingly popular player at Portsmouth over the course of the season and his impact hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Signed as a central midfielder from his native Northern Ireland in 2023, Devlin was one of several of a youthful crop to broaden their horizons in the English leagues.
With plenty above him in the pecking order, he showed the spirit admired by many in Portsmouth to discover a new way of carving out a place in the team, which eventually came as a right-back.
John Mousinho handed the 21-year-old a run of games in the absence of both Jordan Williams and Zak Swanson, including when Williams was forced across to centre-half as injuries took the Blues into a chokehold.
That improvisation on all sides has moulded Devlin into a promising young defender. Whereabouts on the pitch his future lies remains to be completely ascertained, but the ex-Glentoran man is showing he has what it takes in the Championship.
A determined young professional who exhibits all the durable qualities of holding his own against established forwards, Devlin will always be there to blast in a tackle; to head away anything that comes near him; but also to show some smart technical ability.
Northern Ireland cap coming soon?
Devlin has achieved a lot in his fledgling career this season, making 25 appearances in all competitions and already drifting from all-action midfielder to robust right-back.
When the £150,000 deal was completed to bring him to Fratton Park from Glentoran, the irony was that Devlin was exposing himself further to opportunities to represent the full Northern Irish national team.
In the position he has played most often this season, the path to becoming the established first-choice internationally is blocked by Sunderland’s Trai Hume – though a place in upcoming squads certainly isn’t out of the equation.
| Terry Devlin – positions 2024-25 | Appearances |
| Right-back | 18 |
| Central midfield | 3 |
| Right-wing | 2 |
| Left-wing | 2 |
| Total | 25 |
Devlin’s versatility will only help him in this regard, as it certainly helps both he and Portsmouth in his club career. It could be the case that he ends up making his Northern Ireland debut when Blues teammate Paddy Lane is also on the pitch, as the winger currently nurses a long-term injury.
Portsmouth have 12 games left this campaign to secure survival, and Devlin can be immensely proud of a contribution which has seen the Blues’ board act and tie him down for another three years.