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Michael Jacobs in shock talks over Ipswich move !

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The News understands Pompey have given the winger permission to discuss terms with Tractor Boys boss Paul Cook who seeks a reunion.

Jacobs was a pivotal player under Cook during Wigan’s League One title win in 2017-18.

He also helped re-establish the Latics in the Championship, before both manager and player departed the DW Stadium in the summer of 2020.

Now the former Pompey boss has moved to take the 29-year-old to Ipswich – and the Blues have not opposed the approach.

It is believed Pompey have concerns over Jacobs’ ongoing availability in the face of persistent injuries. In addition, he is competing with Ronan Curtis and Reeco Hackett-Fairchild for a place on the left-wing, signifying an area well-stocked for the club.

While there is an argument his wages could be utilised elsewhere in strengthening a small squad for the 2021-22 campaign.

Danny Cowley has previously made no secret of his high regard of Jacobs’ talents, while Pompey possess an outstanding win ratio when the former Wolves man features.

Crucially, however, he racked up just 22 appearances in his maiden Fratton Park season, of which just 13 were starts. Jacobs missed the final eight matches of last term after sustaining medial knee ligament damage at Wigan in April.

That represented one of three lengthy spells on the sidelines after joining on a free transfer in September 2020 following his Wigan release.

Jacobs was absent for 12 matches after tearing knee ligaments at Sunderland in October 2020.

While a hamstring problem sustained against Plymouth in February ruled him out for seven games.

Overall, he missed 27 Pompey fixtures through injury – a worrying statistic.

Nonetheless, the attacker has proven a class act on the occasions he has featured for the Blues amid those unfortunate injury set-backs.

He netted in wins at Gillingham and Charlton, while Pompey have won 10 of 12 league matches he has started.

Tellingly, however, he has never started more than three successive fixtures since arriving at Fratton Park.

Jacobs is contracted with Pompey until the summer of 2022, with the club also possessing a 12-month option.

It remains to be seen whether Ipswich are willing to pay for the services of the former Derby man – or a mutually-agreed release can be negotiated.

Failure to reach agreement may not necessarily mean Jacobs’ Fratton Park career is over, however. A popular figure around the changing room, he provides a stable presence on and off the pitch, in addition to his attacking ability.

Cowley’s men return to training on Monday ahead of the new campaign, although Jacobs is not yet ready to participate following knee surgery in April.

 

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"It's a privilege to be able to join." | Shaun Williams Signs For Pompey.

Pompey have completed the signing of versatile 6' midfielder Shaun Williams on a one-year deal.

The 34-year-old Republic of Ireland international officially becomes a Blues player when his Millwall contract expires at the end of the month. He can play either defensive midfield or centre half.

Head coach Danny Cowley said: “It’s a really good signing for us and we’re excited to add him to our group.

“Shaun’s played in the Championship for a lot of his career and is someone with international experience.

“But he’s also appeared for League One clubs and has been promoted from this division, so he has plenty of game intelligence and know-how.

“He knows how to receive the ball and gives us more left-footed balance in the group, which is important.

“From a tactical point of view it’s a really nice fit. He loves to come out into a false full-back position, which then allows our left-back to get high and wide.

“He also brings a lot of experience to our changing room. We have to sign players who will thrive being at a big club with high expectations.

“One of the things I look for is how they respond to adversity. He’s never going to be afraid to get the ball and is incredibly brave.”

Williams – who is also comfortable in defence – began his career in his homeland with Drogheda and Sporting Fingal, enjoying cup glory and Europa League football with the latter.

He moved to MK Dons in March 2011 and impressive displays during the 2012/13 campaign saw him named Player of the Year by both supporters and team-mates.

Williams then signed for Millwall at the start of 2014 and appeared at Wembley when they beat Bradford to win the 2016/17 League One play-off final.

He struck 22 goals in 295 appearances for the Lions, featuring 22 times in the Championship last term.

Williams has been capped three times by Republic of Ireland and netted in a 2018 Nations League clash with Wales.

 

Ryan Tunnicliffe Signs For Pompey

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Pompey have completed the signing of 28-year-old 6' tall attacking midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe.

He has put pen to paper on a two-year deal – with the club holding an option for a further 12 months – after leaving Luton.

Blues boss Danny Cowley said: “Ryan had a good footballing education at Manchester United and has spent the past eight seasons playing regularly in the Championship.

“We want to be a team that performs with a real energy and high intensity – those qualities are really important to us.

“He’s an attacking, technical midfielder who plays with his head up, has fantastic penetration and is really progressive with his passing.

“There’s the ability to play clever reverse and slide-rule balls, so I’m sure our attackers will benefit from his vision.

“We see real grit, determination and dynamism in him. He’s incredibly athletic and also deceptively quick.

“Ryan has played with Shaun Williams before at Millwall, which I think helped him make the decision.

“We’ve had fight off Championship clubs, but he really brought into the project that we have here at Pompey.

“He is certainly someone who we feel can help when we’re trying to break sides down and we’re looking forward to working with him.”

Tunnicliffe progressed through the ranks at Old Trafford and made a couple of senior appearances for the Red Devils.

He had several spells out on loan before signing for Fulham and briefly featuring for them in the Premier League.

Millwall was his next stop in the summer of 2017, with Tunnicliffe spending two years at The Den and then moving to Luton.

He made a total of 68 appearances in two years with the Hatters, helping to establish them in the second tier of English football.

 

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Charlton Athletic have signed former Portsmouth goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray on a two-year contract.

The 28-year-old was unable to agree a new deal at Pompey and moves to their League One rivals after three seasons and 135 appearances at Fratton Park.

The former Shrewsbury Town and Walsall keeper was called up to the Scotland squad in August 2019, but has yet to play internationally.

He is the second summer signing at Charlton after striker Jayden Stockley.

 

Michael Poke Appointed Goalkeeping Coach - Former Blues stopper steps up from academy role

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Pompey have appointed Michael Poke as the club’s new first team goalkeeping coach.

The 35-year-old replaces John Keeley, who left Fratton Park at the end of last season to link up with former manager Paul Cook at Ipswich.

Poke had previously been working as a goalkeeping coach for the academy, a role he began in March 2020.

Blues boss Danny Cowley said: “Michael worked with us towards the back end of last season when John had to self-isolate and he fitted in seamlessly.

“He made a real impact and has worked exceptionally hard over the past few years to develop his coaching.

“We interviewed a number of candidates, but felt that Michael was the best choice and he’ll be a valuable member of our team.

“The academy is so important to us. We’re trying to be aligned and really have some joined up thinking.

“Hopefully this appointment can show all the staff that there is a natural progression to the first team.”

Poke said: "I'm over the moon. As soon as the gaffer pulled me on and offered me the job, then it was a no-brainer for me.

"Bassy was the academy keeper when I was here as a player and I worked with him a bit towards the end of last season, so we've built up a bit of a relationship."

Poke previously spent time with Pompey as a player after being signed from Torquay by Andy Awford in the summer of 2014.

He did not make a first team appearance during his two years with the club, however, and spent time on loan at Eastleigh.

Poke then finished his playing career with Woking in the National League before moving into coaching.

 

Gavin Bazunu: Portsmouth sign Manchester City goalkeeper on loan.

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Portsmouth have signed goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu on a season-long loan from Manchester City.

The 19-year-old spent last season on loan in League One at Rochdale, where he made 32 appearances.

He also made his senior debut for the Republic of Ireland in March against Luxembourg in Dublin.

"We're delighted to sign Gavin, who we believe is one of the best young goalkeepers in Europe," said Portsmouth manager Danny Cowley.

Bazunu started his career with Shamrock Rovers before he joined City in February 2019.

He has a contract with the Premier League champions until 2024, although he is yet to make a first-team appearance.

 

Roberto Gagliardi has been named Pompey’s interim sporting director.

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The head coach confirmed Gagliardi has taken up the key position, after making a positive impression since Cowley arrived at Fratton Park in March.

Italian born Gagliardi takes up the post after operating as head of European scouting, since arriving at the club in 2018.

The ex-keeper has also held recruitment positions at Bolton and Leyton Orient, but now has a chance to make an impression in the over-arching role at Pompey.

Cowley said: ‘It’s just that (he’s currently interim sporting director). ‘He’s worked incredibly hard and brought real enthusiasm and energy.

‘Obviously coming from a recruiting background he’s living that role for the first time.

‘But we’ve enjoyed a close working relationship and he certainly brings real energy and enthusiasm.’

With so much importance afforded recruitment this summer it’s clear how key Gagliardi is going to be in the coming weeks, with four players brought in so far and many more required.

 

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Arsenal, Celtic and Rangers target Abdul Abdulmalik profiled amid Pompey links teenage striker is reportedly on trial with Portsmouth at the moment.

The Blues had ten players on trial for the start of full pre-season training earlier this week, with reports suggesting that the 18-year-old forward is among those who have been on trial at the ROKO training centre.

Abdulmalik has recently become a free agent having yet to sign a contract extension with Championship club Millwall. However, should he depart The Den, the Lions would be entitled to a compensation fee due to his age.

Abdul Abdulmalik is an 18-year-old striker who had been at Millwall since December 2018 until the expiry of his contract earlier this week. Prior to joining Millwall, Abdulmalik had been on the books at Fulham.

The now free agent impressed in the youth sides at Millwall, helping them to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup and also helping the young Lions to win the Professional Development League title during the 2019/20 season.

Due to his impressive performances in recent seasons, Abdulmalik earned his first call-up to England’s under-17s side in February 2020.

Abdulmalik won three caps for England while away on that cap, making substitute appearances against Ukraine either side of a start against Russia.

Reports from South London News suggest that the teenager is currently one of the players on trial with Pompey at present.

The Daily Mail also suggest that the Blues are keen on signing the teenager and deem him to be ready for senior football, despite never playing higher at club level than Millwall’s under-23s.

Arsenal have also been credited with an interest in the forward been football.London, while South London News have stated that Rangers and Celtic are also monitoring the teenager.

The Daily Mail have stated that Swansea City had offered £200,000 to Millwall to sign Abdulmalik. However, that was not accepted.

With the teenager now being a free agent, if any club were to sign him, a fee going to the Lions would be agreed at a tribunal.

It is believed that Millwall are pining for a fee of over £1m for the 18-year-old.

Abdulmalik is the cousin of young Chelsea playmaker Tino Anjorin, who has played five times for the club’s senior side.

 

Pompey have been linked with Millwall's Icelandic international striker Jón Daði Böðvarsson.

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Portsmouth have been credited with an interest in signing 6' 2" Millwall striker/winger Jon Dadi Bodvarsson this summer.

The Blues and League One rivals AFC Wimbledon have both been linked with the 29-year-old, who has spent the last five years in the Championship with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Reading and now Millwall. He has been capped 60 times by Iceland.

 

Portsmouth have reportedly offered a trial to former Doncaster Rovers, Liverpool and Leeds United midfielder Madger Gomes, who is currently a free agent after leaving the Keepmoat Stadium.

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Former Doncaster Rovers midfielder Madger Gomes is reportedly set to join Portsmouth on trial for pre-season training.

The 24-year-old Spaniard is a free agent after seeing his contract at Doncaster expire this summer and The News are reporting that Gomes will link up with Danny Cowley’s squad as he attempts to win a permanent contract at Fratton Park.

5' 11" tall Gomes has spent the last two seasons in League One with Rovers and has played 45 times across England’s third tier, scoring four goals for the Yorkshire-based club.

However, Gomes is now a free agent after not extending his stay at the Keepmoat Stadium and the report says Cowley has invited him to train with the club.

Formerly of both Liverpool and Leeds United, Gomes’ exit led to Doncaster signing Ben Close on a free transfer earlier this summer following his exit from the Blues.

As things stand, Pompey have just two central midfielders contracted at the club in new signings Shaun Williams and Ryan Tunnicliffe, leaving the Blues short in that area of the pitch.

 

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The lad is 24 years of age, 5' 10" tall, and hopefully not so injury prone as Michael Jacobs !!

 

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Pompey are currently giving a trial to 20 year old former Norwich City striker Hassan Ahadme who scored a 26 minute second half hat trick today in our pre season friendly match at Havant & Waterlooville. He was born in Morocco, and joined Norwich in 2019 from a Spanish team. He spent last season on loan to Spanish club Real Oviedo.

 

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We are also giving a trial to ex Southampton attacking midfielder 25 year old Jake Hesketh. Only 5' 6" tall, but quite a talented player, who left St Marys at the end of last season. I recall him scoring a very good goal against us at Fratton Park a few years back whilst on loan to Burton Albion, and he has also spent some time on loan for Lincoln City when Danny Cowley was the manager there.

He played for Pompey today in the friendly game away to the Hawks.

 

Jordy Hiwula: Doncaster Rovers sign forward on two-year deal.

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Doncaster Rovers have signed forward Jordy Hiwula on a two-year deal.

The 26-year-old was a free agent after leaving Portsmouth at the end of last season.

He started his career at Manchester City and has also had spells with Yeovil, Walsall, Huddersfield, Wigan, Bradford, Fleetwood and Coventry City.

Hiwula is the sixth player to join Rovers this summer after Ben Close, Kyle Knoyle, Ro-Shaun Williams, Tommy Rowe and Matt Smith.

 

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Pompey have completed the signing of 29-year-old defender Kieron Freeman.

He has put pen to paper on a two-year deal – with the club option of a further 12 months – after leaving Swansea at the end of last season.

Freeman had a spell on loan at Fratton Park during the 2015/16 campaign and made seven appearances.

He has recently been training with the club and appeared in last week’s behind closed doors friendly at QPR.

Blues boss Danny Cowley said: “We’re delighted to sign someone of Kieron’s calibre, who has appeared in every professional league in English football.

“Pompey fans will obviously know him quite well from his short loan spell here during the Paul Cook era.

“Since then he’s gone on to be part of an outstanding Sheffield United side that went from League One to the Premier League.

“He’s an overlapping attacking full-back and adds real top-end quality to our squad. Technically, he’s a very good player.

“I like the fact that even with what he’s achieved in his career so far, he comes to us with a point to prove because last season would have been a frustrating one for him.

“Kieron has been with us for the first 10 days of pre-season and his attitude and work ethic have impressed us.

“We try to sign people before players and have enjoyed seeing him up close, while I think he’s enjoyed seeing us as well.

“There were a couple of other offers that were financially more rewarding, but he wanted to come here and I think that says everything about the club.

“He’s tasted Pompey before and knows what it’s like to appear at Fratton Park in front of our supporters, which went a big way in convincing him to continue his career with us.

“The fact he’s been a part of promotion-winning teams and knows what it takes is really important to us.

“We’ve got some talented young full-backs in our squad and to have the experience of someone who’s fought his way up the divisions is valuable. He can help the group on and off the pitch.”

Freeman began his career at Nottingham Forest and also played for Derby before signing for Sheffield United in January 2015.

He has been capped by Wales.

 

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Pompey are giving a trial to 21 year old, 6' 0" tall central defender, Akin Odimayo who left Swindon Town end of last season. He is also being chased by
Derby, Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke City. He is currently away with Pompey at this week's training camp at St George's Park.

 

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Pompey have signed Gassan Ahadme on a season-long loan deal from Premier League side Norwich.

The 20-year-old Moroccan forward has recently been training with the club and scored a hat-trick after coming off the bench in the 5-2 friendly win at Havant & Waterlooville.

Blues boss Danny Cowley said: “We’ve seen a lot of Gassan for Norwich U23s – and we liked what we saw.

“But we wanted to have a closer look at him with our own eyes and he’s been excellent for us in training.

“We called him ‘Trialist H’ at Havant & Waterlooville – which made him sound like he was from Line of Duty – but he scored three goals for us.

“He’s a clean finisher and got a couple more in the match we organised at St George’s Park on Friday and then another two at Bristol City.

“Gassan got a really good loan move to Real Oviedo last season. Unfortunately, he picked up a nasty foot infection, but has recovered from that now.

“He brings other people into the game and his movement is incredibly intelligent. He’s really good at finding his own space.

“I look at the guys in our squad and we need a link player like him at the top end of the pitch to combine with our other forwards.

“We’re really pleased to add him to the group and he certainly provides a different option to what we already have, while giving us tactical flexibility.”

Ahadme joined Norwich from Spanish side Gimnastic de Manresa in January 2019 and featured for their under-23 side.

He appeared for the Canaries in an EFL Trophy game at Fratton Park later that year, playing an hour of their 3-1 defeat to Pompey.

 

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Pompey have completed the signing of 20-year-old forward Jayden Reid.

He has put pen to paper on a one-year deal – with the club option of a further 12 months – after leaving Birmingham at the end of last season.

Reid has recently been training with the club and appeared in the pre-season matches at Havant & Waterlooville and Bristol City.

Blues boss Danny Cowley said: “Jayden is an exciting young player with a lot of potential. He’s a good dribbler and has pace, athleticism and energy.

“Also, which is important for us, he has a love for the game and it’s been enjoyable working work with him over the past week or so.

“We’re looking to put a group of talented young players together that have real potential – and Jayden joins Haji Mnoga and Liam Vincent in that bracket.

“There’s a lot to work with, but also a lot to work on. The main thing for us is that we can see has the attitude of wanting to learn and develop.

“The young players have an infectious enthusiasm and they drive up the standards in training every single day.

“We want that balance of youth and experience to create an environment where everyone’s improving all the time.”

Reid progressed through the ranks at Manchester United and Swansea before signing for Birmingham in 2019.

He made four Championship appearances for them and spent time on loan with Barrow and Walsall last season.