It’s traditionally a time of the year when clubs up and down the country welcome a few unfamiliar faces into their ranks as they look to land themselves a bargain.
Last season, Josh Martin’s time at the club without a contract earned him a short-term Fratton Park deal and a League One winner’s medal, to boot! But for every Martin, there’s a Lloyd Sam who is deemed not up to task and allowed to leave without even a chat about an extended stay.
With that said, here’s 29 triallists Pompey have had down through the years that can be catagorised as either a success of a failure.
5. Duane Holmes
Trained at Pompey under Paul Cook in 2016 but a deal was never completed and he's now with Preston after time spent with Derby and Huddersfield. | PA
6. Gareth Evans
The mysterious 'Wayne Evans' appeared at Hawks in 2015 and went on to become a huge Fratton favourite. | Graham Hunt/ProSportsImages/PinP
7. Denilson
Pompey handed Brazilian winger Denilson a trial in 2006. However the one-time world's most expensive player, when he signed for Real Betis for £21.5m, couldn't agree a deal with the club and went to Saudi Arabia. | AP
8. Aaron Jarvis
Aaron Jarvis trialled with Pompey in 2019 - didn't make a mark and ended up in Scotland with Falkirk. Made five appearances for non-league Torquay during second half of last season. | The News