Brandon Haunstrup features for Kilmarnock after turning down Portsmouth deal
Brandon Haunstrup has featured in match action for Kilmarnock as his move to Scotland edges closer.
The Waterlooville lad played as a triallist in Killie’s friendly victory over Motherwell on Friday, according to the Daily Record.
Haunstrup came on at half-time during Alex Dyer’s side’s 3-2 win at Fir Park.
Former Pompey striker Nicke Kabamba was on target for the visitors.
Haunstrup is closing in on his switch to the Scottish Premiership side, after turning down a new deal at Fratton Park.
The Blues were keen for the left-back to remain at the club ahead of their latest League One promotion push.
Despite being tabled an improved offer, chief executive Mark Catlin revealed Haunstrup rejected the contract earlier this week.
The 23-year-old has grown frustrated by the lack of first-team opportunities at his hometown club.
After being handed his debut in a 2-1 success over Derby County in the League Cup in 2015, Haunstrup has only made an additional 55 appearances for Pompey.
Since graduating through the academy, he’s primarily served as back-up to the likes of Enda Stevens, Dion Donohue and Lee Brown.
During the 2019-20 season, Haunstrup made 19 outings – serving in both left-back and right-back roles.
However, the arrival of Steve Seddon on loan from Birmingham in January pushed the former Crookhorn College pupil further down the pecking order.
Haunstrup was omitted for both legs Pompey’s play-off semi-final defeat to Oxford United earlier this month.
Brown started the first clash at Fratton Park, with Seddon featuring from the outset in the second game at the Kassam Stadium.
What’s more, Haunstrup was included in just two of the Blues’ final 15 match-day squads of the campaign.
Turning 24 in October, he will want to kickstart his career and begin playing on a regular basis.
Haunstrup had been north of the border training with Kilmarnock before playing against Motherwell as he closes in on a switch.
Should he join Killie, who finished seventh in the Scottish Premiership last term, then Pompey will be entitled to receive training compensation, in line with FIFA regulations.