Winger Josh Murphy Signs For The Blues

Promotion-winning attacker Josh Murphy has joined Portsmouth FC as a free agent following the end of his contract at Oxford United.

The 29-year-old leaves the Kassam Stadium as a U's hero, having played a vital part in the side's 2023/24 League One season and scoring both goals in a 2-0 Play-Off Final win over Bolton Wanderers at Wembley in May. That victory for Oxford confirmed their status as a 2nd division club for the first time in 25 years.

Murphy has penned a 3-year contract with Pompey and the club have the option to extend that for a further 12 months should both parties wish to exercise that clause in 2027.

He arrives at Fratton Park with plenty of Championship and even Premier League experience under his belt, having represented the likes of MK Dons, Preston North End and Norwich City, whose academy he graduated from in 2013.

In 2018, following a successful loan spell at MK, Murphy transferred from Norwich to Cardiff City on a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee rumoured to be around £11 million. He spent 4 years in South Wales before moving on to his next and most recent club Oxford United as a free agent having had his Cardiff contract run down to its end in the summer of 2022.

He bagged 10 goals from 62 appearances over the course of 2 seasons at Oxford.

Blues head coach John Mousinho told the club's media team: "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.

"He's an exciting winger, who possesses goals and assists in his arsenal. There's also out-and-out pace on either flank.

"Josh can get the fans excited with the way he plays, so we're absolutely delighted to get the deal done."

You may be aware of Josh Murphy's twin brother, Jacob, who plies his trade at Newcastle United.

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