'Packed up' - Former QPR midfielder says goodbye to Portsmouth as contract decision becomes reality
Andre Dozzell has finally left Pompey and the UK as he begins his new life with DC United in the USA
Andre Dozzell has finally said goodbye to Pompey - and there’s no turning back now!
Courtesy of a social media post from his partner, the now former Blues midfielder and his family have packed the house up and are now heading Stateside for ‘their biggest adventure yet’.
Their final destination, of course, will be Washington DC, where the 27-year-old will line up for MLS Eastern Conference side DC United.
That free transfer move was confirmed last month, after Dozzell signed a two-year deal with the option of a third with the Audi Field outfit following his decision not accept Pompey’s offer of a new contract.
The player’s Fratton Park departure will leave a huge void in the Blues’ midfield, with the former QPR man one of John Mousinho’s most consistent performers.
But while the Blues work out a way of replacing the influential figure in their engine room, there’s clearly a lot of excitement for what lies ahead for Dozzell and his young family as they set off to experience a new life on the other side of the Atlantic.
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Confirming they are now on their way to Washington after some tearful goodbyes, Dozzell’s partner, Aaliyah Fosterr, posted on Instagram: ‘House packed up, hundreds of cuddles and tears, many see you laters & thousands of memories made!
‘So sad to leave all the ones we love for this chapter, we truly are blessed and surrounded by an eternity of love & support. BUT we are so ready for our biggest adventure yet!
‘We’ve loved every minute of Pompey, we really did make it home, onto the next, DC legggooo - football is WILD Can’t wait to explore more of the world with you my baby’s We are so excited!’
Pompey ‘disappointed to lose Doz’
Signed from QPR on a free transfer in the summer of 2024, Dozzell featured 80 times for Pompey.
Thirty-nine of those appearances came last season as the midfielder became a mainstay in the team that secured the club’s Championship status for a third year.
He missed eight games after the turn of the year because of a ankle injury, but returned to play a key role in the Blues’ run-in.
It was his delivery from a free-kick, not long after coming on as a substitute on his comeback appearance against Norwich, that led to Pompey scoring an important late equaliser at Carrow Road on Good Friday.
Dozzell himself then scored another late leveller when the 10-man Blues looked destined to be defeated by Oxford United at Fratton Park two days later.
Head coach John Mousinho said he was disappointed to be losing a player of Dozzell’s calibre.
‘We’re disappointed to lose Doz, who has been a valuable member of the side during these past two campaigns,’ said Mousinho.
‘He started every game that he was available for this season – which tells you what I think of him – and has gone from strength to strength.
‘We would have liked to keep him, but he’s been given an opportunity to go and play abroad and experience something different.
‘He’s earned that that right with his performances on the pitch and will always be welcome back at Fratton Park.’
At present, Pompey’s midfield options consist of Ebou Adams, Marlon Pack and Luke Le Roux, with Mark Kosznovszky not due back until the end of the year because of a knee injury.
The midfield is an area the Blues are expected to strengthen when the transfer window opens on Monday.
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