Portsmouth sign ex-Preston North End man after Blackburn Rovers and Derby County 'interest'
Former PNE loan man reportedly set for Fratton Park
Portsmouth have signed former Preston North End loan man Josh Murphy, on a three-year deal with the option for a further 12 months.
The 29-year-old fired Oxford United to promotion, with his brace in the League One play-off final against Bolton Wanderers last season. However, an extended stay at the Kassam Stadium - beyond his two years there - could not be sorted. It has been suggested that Derby County and Blackburn Rovers were interested in a move, too.
Pompey won the title last season and a move to Fratton Park sees Murphy reunite with old U’s team mate John Mousinho. The former Preston midfielder released 10 players on the back of promotion and is building a squad for the second tier. Murphy scored eight goals in 31 outings for Des Buckingham’s side last season.
On the signing, the Pompey boss said: “Josh brings a wealth of Premier League and Championship experience for starters. He was one of the outstanding players in League One during the second half of last season, which culminated in that Wembley brace to take Oxford up.
“Josh can get the fans excited with the way he plays, so we’re absolutely delighted to get the deal done. He’s an exciting winger, who possesses goals and assists in his arsenal. There’s also out-and-out pace on either flank.”
The Lilywhites took the winger on loan in the summer of 2021, but he made just 12 appearances during his spell at Deepdale - which was blighted by a calf injury. With his Cardiff City contract up that summer, Murphy made the move to Oxford.