Portsmouth transfer history maker on the move after departure announced
The Frenchman made 48 appearances during his 18 months at Fratton Park
The man who created Pompey history is on the move again after departing the Hawks.
Nigel Atangana was a landmark transfer for the Blues when they captured him from Westleigh Park in June 2014.
Boss Andy Awford paid an undisclosed fee to capture the Frenchman, representing the club’s first player purchase since coming out of administration 14 months earlier.
When the fans saved Pompey from liquidation at the High Court in April 2013, they subsequently had to prioritise paying off loans and football creditors amid historic debts that had inherited.
And Atangana represented the new era’s first player purchase more than a year later, signing for the then-League Two club ahead of the 2014-15 campaign.
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The powerful midfielder went on to total 48 matches and one goal in his 18-month stay, including initially featuring as a regular starter during Paul Cook’s early days as manager.
However, he was sold to Leyton Orient in January 2016 for an undisclosed fee and later represented Cheltenham, Exeter and Eastleigh.
It was the Hawks who initially brought Atangana to England in 2013 after recruiting him from French fifth division side Gravelines - and he returned to the non-leaguers for a second spell in June 2024.
However, at the age of 36, it has been announced he has once again left Westleigh Park, having failed to reach agreement on a new deal.
‘Nigel returned to the Hawks in Summer 2024 and across his two spells with the club has notched 106 appearances in that time scoring 7 Goals for the club along the way.
‘With our full support, Nigel will depart the club in search of a new challenge and we wish him the best of luck in his next chapter and thank him for all his efforts in Hawks colours over the years!’
Arrived at Fratton Park in June 2014
Atangana became Awford’s fourth summer signing at Fratton Park in June 2014, having shone with the Hawks.
An eye-catching spell at Westleigh Park consisted of 43 games and five goals, persuading the Blues to pay their first transfer fee since the club was saved.
Within a week, a fee was also used to bring in Stevenage’s James Dunne as Awford, who had been made permanent boss since keeping Pompey in the Football League as caretaker, was handed the finances to rebuild.
In his first Football League season, Atangana made 35 appearances and scored once as the Blues finished a disappointing 16th in League Two in 2014-15.
With Cook appointed in May 2015, the midfielder started the opening eight league matches of the new regime, including the opening day 3-0 win over Dagenham & Redbridge at Fratton Park.
However, his 48th and final outing for Pompey was at Carlisle in November 2015 - and, in January 2016, joined Leyton Orient on an 18-month deal for an undisclosed fee.
Atangana last season helped the Hawks finish 10th in the Southern League Premier South after being revitalised by the appointment of Aaron Martin as boss.