Pompey complete signing of 'one of the outstanding players in League One' as three-year deal agreed

The 29-year-old has arrived on a free transfer and put pen to paper on a three-year deal - with a club option for an additional 12 months - on Tuesday night. Murphy struck both of the U’s’ goals at Wembley last month as they beat Bolton 2-0 to win the League One play-off final.

He is Pompey’s second signing of the summer following the capture of former Barnsley captain Jordan Williams earlier this month. Blues boss John Mousinho said: ‘Josh brings a wealth of Premier League and Championship experience for starters. He was one of the outstanding players in League One during the second half of last season, which culminated in that Wembley brace to take Oxford up.

‘He’s an exciting winger, who possesses goals and assists in his arsenal. There’s also out-and-out pace on either flank. Josh can get the fans excited with the way he plays, so we’re absolutely delighted to get the deal done.’

Murphy – whose twin brother Jacob plays for Newcastle – is a former England youth international, who progressed through the ranks at Norwich. He featured in the Premier League and Championship with the Canaries, as well as at next club Cardiff, for whom he signed for £11m in 2018. A former team-mate of Mousinho’s at the Kassam Stadium, the forward signed for Oxford in the summer of 2022, netting 10 goals in 62 appearances. His brace at the national stadium in May ensured United would be competing in English football’s second tier - alongside Pompey - for the first time in 25 years.

Oxford confirmed Murphy’s departure earlier after they failed to agreement terms on a new contract. Head of recruitment, Ed Waldron, said: ‘Josh departs having played an important role in our promotion success, and it was our ambition to see him remain at the club.

‘We have been in contract negotiations with Josh since the turn of the year. The club put forward a fantastic offer and we did everything in our power to keep him at Oxford United.

‘Josh has chosen to move on and go elsewhere, and we respect his decision. The club have a very clear recruitment strategy in place and will now focus on other targets as we continue to build a competitive squad for the upcoming Championship campaign.’