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.
13. Luis Boa Morte
The former Arsenal, Southampton, Fulham and West Ham forward came on trial towards the end of his career in 2012 but ended up with Orlando Pirates and then Chesterfield. | The News
14. Ben Davies
The former Sheffield United right-back earned himself a Pompey deal following a trial in 2015. Played more than 40 times for the Blues that season but couldn't agree new terms and left the following summer. | Getty Images
15. Eugen Bopp
Paul Hart brought Eugen Bopp to England from Bayern Munich as Nottingham Forest manager. A decade later he got the midfielder in as a triallist at Pompey | Robin Jones/Digital South
16. Heung-Min Son
A big one who got away after coming on trial in 2009. Stayed in club digs and wasn't a particularly enjoyable experience for the South Korean star. Also had a stay with Blackburn, but neither club did a deal. D'oh! | Sportimage