Matt Ritchie sends message to Portsmouth board as late transfer officially confirmed
Portsmouth have officially confirmed the departure that has been expected for most of the summer.
Matt Ritchie has left Portsmouth to sign for Reading, just a year after re-joining the Blues on a free transfer from Newcastle United.
John Mousinho has been criticised for his decision to let Ritchie leave, after the midfielder made 39 Championship appearances for Pompey last season.
Portsmouth signed Florian Bianchini on loan from Swansea earlier in the window, with the winger expected to compete for the 35-year-old’s former spot in the team.
The Frenchman is expected to get an extended run in the starting line-up, with Callum Lang set to miss up to 12 weeks of action through injury.
Matt Ritchie thanks Portsmouth board as exit confirmed
Ritchie’s departure is expected to allow Portsmouth to bring in further signings before transfer deadline day on Monday, 1 September.
The Blues have already confirmed the arrivals of seven new players this summer, including Mark Kosznovszky and Adrian Segecic.
The latter has impressed at Fratton Park so far, netting two goals and an assist in Portsmouth’s opening four matches of the season.
| Portsmouth incomings 2025/26 |
| Mark Kosznovszky |
| Josh Knight |
| John Swift |
| Luke Le Roux |
| Adrian Segecic |
| Yang Min-hyeok |
| Florian Bianchini |
But Mousinho will hope to see more new faces in the coming days, with several players leaving this summer.
Ritchie’s departure was certainly the most surprising; however, with Portsmouth confirming that the midfielder had signed for Reading.
The Pompey academy product thanked the board, the staff and his teammates “for welcoming me into the dressing room with open arms” in a newly-released statement.
Matt Ritchie exit will leave questions
The circumstances surrounding Ritchie’s exit will leave some questions on the lips of fans.
Portsmouth will not receive a fee for the midfielder, with his contract at Fratton Park terminated before his move to Reading.
Ritchie has reportedly moved on for the promise of further game time, but some fans will find it hard to believe that there is not more to the situation.
The Scot was almost ever-present for Mousinho’s side last season, and likely would have, at least, played a significant role in rotation.
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