Emotional Fratton Park homecoming for Portsmouth fan as Blues swoop for ex-Newcastle and Bournemouth man

The left-sided midfielder has tonight signed a two-year deal following his end of season release from Newcastle.

It represents the Blues’ ninth signing of the summer - and signals an emotional homecoming for Ritchie.

The Pompey fan and Gosport lad climbed through the Fratton Park ranks to make 10 first-team appearances before being controversially sold to Swindon in January 2011.

He went on to achieve success at Bournemouth, became a Scotland international, while spending eight years with Newcastle.

Now aged 34, Ritchie is back home, reuniting with former youth-team colleague Marlon Pack.