Three deadline day signings were announced by Pompey during deadline day - but they made fans wait for the fourth, event if it was badly-kept secret by the the time the news was confirmed.

Conor Chaplin to return on loan - that was the line, reported as confirmed in some quarters late afternoon, that had fans refreshing their screens and apps feverishly as they wait for the club to announce it.

As the Pompey website reported, the 28-year-old came through the ranks at Fratton and scored 25 goals in 122 appearances before departing for Coventry in 2018.

Blues boss John Mousinho told club media: 'I’m sure that Conor doesn’t really need any introduction to the Pompey faithful. This is a deal that I know everyone’s going to be excited about and we’re grateful to Ipswich for loaning him to us.

'We’re delighted to bring in someone who’s a proven Championship goalscorer and was part of a side that recently enjoyed an outstanding season at this level. With the fact that he’s at the prime of his career – along with the history he has here – it’s a brilliant signing for us.'

Phil Ham, editor of the independent Ipswich Town fans' site TWTD, said Chaplin would be 'greatly missed' by Town fans.

Ham told us: 'Having initially been signed by his former Pompey boss Paul Cook, under Kieran McKenna Chaplin has been converted into a ball-playing number 10, dropping deep, switching the play and, perhaps most notably, arriving on the edge of the box or the penalty spot to get on the end of cut-backs from either flank.

'Having scored 29 goals in the League One promotion season, he unsurprisingly became a fans’ favourite and won the Supporters Club Player of the Year award during that campaign.

'Chaplin was a key man in the side which won back-to-back promotions and will go down as a Town legend, a player who epitomised the spirit and attitude of that side. He will be greatly missed by fans.'

All the talk of Chaplin's seocnd Fratton spell rather overshadowed three deadline day signings that have been confirmed.

Pompey have signed 25-year-old goalkeeper Josef Bursik from Club Brugge for an undisclosed fee. The former England youth international – who has represented his country up to under-21 level – has agreed a two-year deal with the club.

They have also completed the signing of 21-year-old striker Makenzie Kirk from St Johnstone for an undisclosed fee. The Northern Ireland under-21 international has signed a three-year contract at Fratton Park, with the deal subject to international clearance.

Third new face of the day was forward Franco Umeh from Crystal Palace for an undisclosed fee. The 20-year-old – who can play anywhere across the front line – has agreed a four-year deal at Fratton Park.

Monday's four deal bring to 11 the number of new recruits signed in the summer 2025 window - following on from Adrian Segecic, John Swift, Luke Le Roux, Mark Kosznovzky, Florian Bianchini, Minhyeok Yang and Josh Knight.

Photo: Colin Farmery

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