Pompey Secure Signing of Promotion-Winning Winger Josh Murphy
Portsmouth have made a significant move in the transfer market by securing the signing of Josh Murphy, a key figure in Oxford United's recent promotion to the Championship. Murphy joins Pompey on a free transfer, having agreed to a three-year deal with an option for an additional 12 months. The 29-year-old winger put pen to paper on Tuesday night, marking Portsmouth’s second signing of the summer following the acquisition of former Barnsley captain Jordan Williams earlier this month.
Murphy played a pivotal role in Oxford's success last season, scoring both goals in their 2-0 triumph over Bolton Wanderers in the League One play-off final at Wembley. His brace not only secured Oxford's promotion but also caught the eye of Portsmouth’s management, leading to their determined pursuit of the winger.
Portsmouth manager John Mousinho, who was once Murphy's teammate at Oxford, expressed his excitement about the signing. “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.”
Murphy, whose twin brother Jacob plays for Newcastle United, began his career at Norwich City, progressing through their youth system and eventually featuring in both the Premier League and Championship for the Canaries. In 2018, he transferred to Cardiff City for £11 million, where he continued to showcase his talents. He joined Oxford United in the summer of 2022 and made a significant impact, scoring 10 goals in 62 appearances.
Despite Oxford’s efforts to retain Murphy, they were unable to reach an agreement on a new contract. Ed Waldron, Oxford United's head of recruitment, acknowledged Murphy's contribution to their promotion campaign and expressed disappointment at his departure. “Josh departs having played an important role in our promotion success, and it was our ambition to see him remain at the club. We have been in contract negotiations with Josh since the turn of the year. The club put forward a fantastic offer and we did everything in our power to keep him at Oxford United. Josh has chosen to move on and go elsewhere, and we respect his decision. The club have a very clear recruitment strategy in place and will now focus on other targets as we continue to build a competitive squad for the upcoming Championship campaign.”
Murphy’s signing is a significant coup for Portsmouth, adding a player of his caliber and experience to their squad. His recent performances, combined with his past experiences in top-flight football, promise to bring additional excitement and quality to Pompey’s attacking options. As Portsmouth prepare for the upcoming season, fans will be eager to see Murphy in action and the impact he will have on their campaign.