Advanced midfielder Harry Clout will be involved as a member of Portsmouth's first team squad in 2025/26.
Clout becomes the first academy product to sign a pro deal with the club since goalkeeper Toby Steward, who enjoyed a short loan spell at Crawley Town in League One toward the back end of last season and is expected to join Scottish Championship side St Johnstone on loan this window.
18-year-old Clout featured for John Mousinho's side in January's 2-0 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers in the Third Round of The FA Cup.
He will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of not only Steward but also the likes of Ben Close, Jack Whatmough, Conor Chaplin and Alex Bass, who all enjoyed their own spells in the Pompey first team over the past 10 years.
It has become rare in recent times to see a player burst through the club's academy ranks and on to the first team scene with the lack of a clear pathway between the Under-18s side and the men's first team, providing a huge jump for those with ambitions of proving they have what it takes to play for Portsmouth at senior level.
It is unclear at this stage what head coach John Mousinho plans to do with the further development of Clout, though the question will undoubtedly be asked the next time an Express FM representative has the opportunity to interview the gaffer.
What do you think, Blues fans? Would Harry Clout benefit from a loan move away or do you think he's ready to prove himself during pre-season and potentially stake a claim in the Championship?
Stay tuned across Express FM’s website, app and social media channels (@ExpressFM & @PompeyOnExpress on X) for more Pompey news and be sure to listen in to The Football Hour when it returns with Jake Smith on Monday the 28th of July!
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