Portsmouth midfielder Andre Dozzell has been confirmed to have triggered an extension to his current contract.
Portsmouth, who will likely be jubilant about their recent confirmation of Championship football, will have further gratification as new signing Andre Dozzell has confirmed a longer stay with the South Coast side.
Dozzell, who came through the ranks at Ipswich Town, joined Pompey last summer on a free transfer, having previously been on trial at Sheffield United in pre-season.
The midfielder has performed well this season, rarely shying away from the team, making 37 appearances for the Blues, capped off by a POTM performance against Oxford United.
The extension comes after Dozzell’s original contract allowed a further year if Portsmouth avoided relegation.
Portsmouth’s Championship football will allow the team to build further, with the added aid of Andre Dozzell.
The Blues will be more than happy that they have a further year of Championship football, which should ensure a good foundation for the future.
The South Coast outfit dropped down to the lower leagues of English football, securing promotion to the Championship last year.
Dozzell was a key signing for Portsmouth, who has years of second-division experience at Ipswich, QPR, and Birmingham City.
Still only 25, the Englishman offers stability for the Blues’ midfield, as the likes of Freddie Potts will return to West Ham following the end of his loan at the club, likewise with Isaac Hayden returning to Newcastle United.
This should allow Dozzell to be a focal point heading into the new campaign, with Pompey boss John Mousinho adding;
“He’s had some very, very good performances at this level,”
“His improvement has been massive.”
“I definitely think he’ll be a key player again next season, we are excited again about having Andre next season.”
Dozzell had previously been rejected by promotion hopefuls last summer.
The midfielder wasn’t immediately part of the Blues’ squad at the very start of the season.
The Englishman had spent most of his pre-season on trial at promotion hopefuls, Sheffield United.
This was after Dozzell’s contract had expired at QPR, following a disappointing loan at Birmingham City, seeing the Englishman pick up only ten appearances.
Dozzell did seem to impress, marked by an impressive goal through a field of bodies, which came during the Blades’ pre-season victory against Chesterfield, in which Dozzell came on in the 60th minute.
However, it wasn’t to be for the midfielder, as it was very likely his game time was going to be limited.
Fortunately, Portsmouth were able to snap up the midfielder, benefiting from the game time he had picked up at Bramall Lane.
What is next in store for The Blues after Championship confirmation?
Fratton Park will once again be hosting Championship football for another year, which should hopefully mark a period of stability for the club.
Pompey have endured less favourable years in the EFL, having once been a mainstay of the Premier League at the start of the decade.
Though the club certainly hasn’t been without some shining moments throughout the season.
Notably, the similarly impressive signing of Jacob Murphy from fellow promoted Oxford United, and Callum Lang’s miraculous four-goal thriller against Coventry City earlier this season.
Dozzell‘s acquisition was certainly a step in the right direction for Portsmouth at the start of the season, and this news of his contract extension is an even greater leap in the right direction for the club.
The technical midfielder has certainly impressed during his time at Fratton Park, coupled with his still rather youthful age of 25, has many years ahead of him.
Hopefully, Dozzell becomes a mainstay for the badge. Do you agree?