Portsmouth has secured the signing of winger Josh Murphy, who was previously with Oxford United. The 29-year-old player declined a new deal with Oxford and has signed a three-year contract with an option for an additional 12 months at Fratton Park.
Murphy played a crucial role in helping Oxford achieve promotion by scoring both goals in the League One play-off final win against Bolton in May. Despite his success in League One, Murphy will now compete in the Championship with Portsmouth, who were crowned champions of League One.
Having previously played in the Championship and Premier League with Norwich City and Cardiff City, Murphy brings a wealth of experience to his new club. Portsmouth manager John Mousinho expressed his excitement about Murphy’s signing, noting his impressive performance in the second half of the previous season and his ability to excite fans with his playing style. Mousinho emphasized the importance of signing Murphy and the impact he could have on the team.
With the departure of Norwich loanee Abu Kamara, who had a successful season with Portsmouth, it is crucial for Murphy to perform at his best to fill the gap left by Kamara and contribute to the team’s success in the upcoming season. Andy Moon, BBC Radio Solent’s Portsmouth commentator, highlighted that Murphy had various suitors during the summer transfer window. Despite financial constraints, Portsmouth’s connection with Murphy through head coach John Mousinho, who previously worked with him at Oxford, played a significant role in securing the deal.
The addition of Murphys experience and skill will be beneficial to Portsmouth as they aim to continue their upward trajectory from League One into Championship play next season.