Paddy Lane’s best moments at Portsmouth as John Mousinho reacts to forward’s exit
Paddy Lane has left Portsmouth to sign for Reading.
The winger played a key role in helping Portsmouth earn promotion to the Championship. He scored 12 goals and registered eight assists as the Blues stormed to the League One title in 2023-24.
Lane struggled in the Championship last season, only scoring once in 22 appearances. A knee injury sustained against Blackburn Rovers in January ended his season early.
The transfer fee paid by Reading is undisclosed.
Mousinho pays tribute to Lane as he signs for Reading
Pompey boss John Mousinho paid tribute to the role played by the Northern Ireland international and wished him well in his future endeavours.
Speaking after his departure, he said: “He played a big role in getting this side to the Championship and, for that reason alone, is sure to get a good reception whenever he returns to Fratton Park.
“We will certainly miss his presence – both on and off the pitch – but this move will hopefully provide him with the regular first team action he deserves.”
Mousinho has moved to sign Swansea Florian Bianchini on loan as an immediate replacement for Lane, although Portsmouth’s squad still looks short of wingers.
Below, Pompey News summarises Lane’s best moments in a Portsmouth shirt.
Lane loved scoring against Northampton
Lane seems to love playing against Northampton Town. He fired four goals against them in Portsmouth’s promotion-winning campaign.
His double at Sixfields helped Portsmouth earn a 3-0 win, while he mesmerised in the return fixture at Fratton Park, netting another brace in a 4-1 victory. He followed up on that performance with the winner in a 1-0 victory away at Cardiff.
| Paddy Lane Portsmouth statistics | |
| Signed | January 2023 |
| Appearances | 84 |
| Goals | 14 |
Lane bags two assists in comeback win against Reading
Portsmouth’s 3-2 comeback victory away at Reading was one of the most memorable matches of the title-winning season in League One.
Pompey were 2-0 down early in the first half, but Lane took the game by the scruff of the neck, bagging two assists to turn the game around.
This was the game when many fans started to believe the Blues had what it takes to seal promotion.
Title-winning celebrations sealed Lane’s popularity among fans
The image of Lane crowdsurfing at Fratton Park after Pompey sealed promotion to the Championship is one of the more iconic images of a famous night.
His interview with BBC Radio Solent the next day is a less well-known moment.
Lane cheerfully stumbling over his words while clearly inebriated summed up the mood of many Portsmouth fans that day.
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