Joe Rafferty sends message as Portsmouth agree another exit
Portsmouth have one of the smallest budgets in the Championship, and John Mousinho will need to improve his squad before their second consecutive season in the second tier.
The Blues confirmed an incoming on Wednesday (18th June) with forward Adrian Segecic joining Mousinho’s men.
After a slow start to the summer transfer window, Pompey are now starting to do their business.
Joe Rafferty sends message to departing ex-teammate
Pompey confirmed on Thursday (19 June) that Christian Saydee had departed the South Coast and joined Wigan for an “undisclosed fee”.
The 23-year-old made 29 Championship appearances last season, but only 10 were in the starting line-up.
Saydee was never likely to take Colby Bishop’s spot in Mousinho’s side, so it was he who made way and moved to Wigan.
After Portsmouth announced his departure, ex-Portsmouth star Joe Rafferty took to Instagram to send a message with a sad, crying face and a red heart.
Rafferty featured for Pompey in 2022/23 season as well as 2023/24 season, when they won promotion to the Championship as League One title winners.
He featured 64 times for the South Coast club.
Saydee leaves Portsmouth at the right time
Saydee had one year left on his contract and leaves Fratton Park at the right time.
During the summer window, Saydee was linked with a few League One clubs, with one being the recently relegated Plymouth.
Wigan have won the race for the forward, though, which will now see him play League One football next season.
Pompey fans have commented wishing him well, with one Pompey fan commenting, “This is the worst day of my life”.
Although the forward was not the most prolific at Pompey, he made a connection with the fans and brought them together.
| Season | League | Appearances | Goals |
| 2023/24 | League One | 36 | 2 |
| 2024/25 | Championship | 29 | 3 |
With Saydee departing, Portsmouth already have their replacement with Segečić.
The Australian forward was announced on Wednesday (18 June) and has signed a three-year deal.
He 21-year-old, who’s one of the hottest prospects in Australian football, scored 18 goals for Sydney FC and was the top scorer in the A-League last season.