Portsmouth on verge of re-signing star who was loved by Paul Cook at Fratton Park
Portsmouth have started the Championship season well as they lie eighth in the table.
Having won seven points from their opening four matches, optimism at Fratton Park is high as Portsmouth aim to steer well clear of a relegation battle this season.
After Portsmouth’s 1-0 win over Preston, John Mousinho would have been hoping to retain all his key players ahead of the transfer deadline.
Josh Murphy looks set to stay at Portsmouth, while the South Coast club may have just added valuable experience to their front line.
Conor Chaplin set to return to Portsmouth
The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath reports via X that Chaplin will re-join his boyhood club back on loan.
Chaplin was at Portsmouth between 2014 and 2018, winning League two with the club in 2016/17.
Throughout his career, he has been a reliable goalscorer, and he’ll be hoping to continue that trend when he returns to Fratton Park.
| Club | Appearances | Goals |
| Portsmouth | 122 | 25 |
| Coventry City | 32 | 8 |
| Barnsley | 86 | 17 |
| Ipswich Town | 174 | 55 |
He even gained huge praise from Paul Cook, the manager at the time, after bursting on to the scene at just 18 years of age.
Paul Cook shared admiration for Chaplin at the time, and stated that Portsmouth would do anything they can to keep the young star at the club.
In 2015, Cook said: “Of course we want to give Conor a new contract. He is a smashing kid and it is something we are looking at. When you look at Conor, he epitomises what is good in the game and that is great for us all. He’s a great kid around the place.”
Chaplin can provide promotion experience in the Portsmouth dressing room
At 28-years-old, Chaplin has had many special achievements in his career, yet perhaps none will be greater than securing promotion to the Premier League with Ipswich in 2023/24.
In that promotion campaign, Chaplin was relentless, registering 21 goal contributions in 44 games.
With Pompey fans dreaming of a return to the top flight for the first time since 2009/10, the smart signing of Chaplin will boost hopes around the club.
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