Portsmouth announce multiple Fratton Park exits as manager speaks out
Portsmouth are looking to improve their first-team squad as they prepare for another season in the Championship.
John Mousinho’s side finished 16th last term, but new recruits will be needed to continue this progress.
Adrian Segecic has been signed on a free transfer, but Pompey still look short in midfield and up front.
Mousinho has just over a month until Portsmouth’s first Championship game and will look to bring in a handful of new players by then.
Portsmouth announce a string of departures from academy team
Pompey have announced that four Academy scholars will leave the club after failing to secure professional contracts.
Cody Howard, Jayden Keteku, Connor May and Luke Staight were all unable to make the cut.
Speaking about the decision to the club’s website (4 July), Academy manager Greg Miller said: “I’d like to wish Cody, Jayden, Connor and Luke the very best for the future.
“Their efforts throughout their scholarship have been excellent, and I thank them on behalf of all the staff.”
This will be difficult news for the teenagers, but it’s the sad reality of Academy football that most scholars aren’t offered professional contracts. Indeed, all second-year scholars were released from Portsmouth’s Academy last summer.
The news comes as their teammate Harry Clout was able to secure a professional contract at Fratton Park.
Clout was considered the ‘poster boy’ of the Academy and made his first-team debut in the FA Cup tie against Wycombe last year.
Portsmouth are right to be ruthless in the transfer window
It’s not just Academy level where Pompey’s players are made to work for a contract.
Several first-team stars were released this summer, despite appearing many times last season.
Kusini Yengi is arguably the most high-profile of the players who were let go. Yengi played a significant role in getting Pompey promoted to the Championship, but struggled with injuries last season and looked off the pace whenever he got a chance to play.
| Appearances | Minutes Played | Goals | Assists |
| 14 | 534 | 0 | 0 |
Christian Saydee is in a similar boat. The 23-year-old striker was one of the more popular stars among Portsmouth fans and played a key role in League One, but he has been sold to Wigan after being deemed surplus to requirements.
Pompey have a small budget, so they have to be ruthless when handing out contracts, even if it leaves them requiring more signings to replace the departing players.
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