The initial summer transfer window has closed after ten days, with Portsmouth among the majority of Championship clubs yet to complete any business during this period.
The opening transfer window has now concluded, leaving Pompey as spectators – though they share this position with most Championship rivals.
Due to the new Club World Cup beginning June 15, the summer window started two weeks earlier and was divided into two phases, closing at 7pm Tuesday after merely ten days of activity.
The window reopens Monday (June 16) and continues until September 1, providing ample opportunity for clubs to conduct transfers.
Previously, the window opened June 14 last year, with Jordan Williams joining Fratton Park immediately, followed by Josh Murphy eleven days later – both free transfers.
Limited Championship Activity
During the initial ten-day period, 42 transfers occurred across teams outside the Premier League, involving just six Championship sides.
Preston and Watford each secured two players, whilst Stoke, Charlton, Norwich and Blackburn also completed signings during this timeframe.
Four of these eight Championship signings involved transfer fees – Sorba Thomas (Stoke), Dan Grimshaw (Norwich), Thierry Small (Preston) and Dion de Neve (Blackburn).
The remaining four were free agents: Marc Bola (Watford), Nathan Baxter (Watford), Sonny Carey (Charlton) and Pol Valentin (Preston).
Championship activity proved significantly quieter than lower divisions, with roughly half the signings compared to League One and League Two.
Both lower divisions recorded 17 signings each, including the window’s sole loan arrangement – Huddersfield’s Tom Iorpenda joining Notts County for the season.
Of 42 Football League transfers, 30 involved free agents, 11 required fees, and one was a loan deal.
Notable Transfers
Kal Naismith’s move to Luton following his Bristol City departure stands out among completed deals.
This marks the former Portsmouth League Two champion’s third Kenilworth Road stint, having spent ten matches on loan there last season, including a man-of-the-match performance in their 1-0 victory over the Blues in March.
Huddersfield sold Sorba Thomas to Stoke whilst signing defender Joe Lowe from Wycombe. Meanwhile, Sheffield Wednesday’s Michael Ihiekwe joined Blackpool as a free agent.
Portsmouth Face 7,890-Mile Championship
International Recruitment
Several clubs explored overseas markets, with Dion de Neve transferring from Belgian side KV Kortrijk to Blackburn for an undisclosed sum.
Former Middlesbrough defender Marc Bola departed Turkish Super Lig club Samsunspor to sign a three-year Watford contract, whilst League One Plymouth acquired Bradley Ibrahim from Hertha Berlin.
With the transfer window temporarily closed, Fratton Park business cannot resume before Monday.
Given that 18 Championship clubs remain inactive, Portsmouth’s quiet start hardly makes them unusual.
