Portsmouth make Conor Chaplin decision in wake of Ipswich Town departure
Conor Chaplin won’t be heading back to Fratton Park for a third Pompey spell this summer
Rich Hughes has ruled out a move for Conor Chaplin this summer.
The Pompey sporting director has admitted the Blues won’t be pursuing a move for the forward, who spent last season on loan at Fratton Park.
That’s despite the 29-year-old being available on a free transfer after Ipswich Town decided not to trigger the 12-month option they had on the popular figure’s contract.
Conor Chaplin - a Fratton favourite
Academy graduate Chaplin was warmly welcomed back to PO4 on the final day of the 2025 summer transfer window following a seven-year stint away.
He returned to the south coast with a CV laden with honours, including two promptions for the Tractor Boys, for whom he scored 55 times in 174 appearances.
A similar impact was anticipated upon his reunion with Pompey, after Chaplin spent the 2024-25 season operating at Premier League level.
However, it never quite worked out that way. Despite featuring 37 times for the Blues last term, the diminutive attacker managed only two goals and three assists as John Mousinho’s side spent the majority of the season battling for their Championship lives.
His goal deep into injury time against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium in April proved hugely significant in Pompey’s successful navigation away from the drop zone, with the Blues securing their second-tier status just over a week later.
That moment will remain fresh in the Fratton faithful’s memory for a long time to come and maintain his status as one of Pompey’s favourite sons.
Yet, it could ultimately prove to be his last ever goal for the club, with Hughes admitting the foward isn’t someone he’s actively pursuing in order to take the Blues to the next level.
‘Not something we're really actively looking to bring in’
Speaking to BBC Solent, the Pompey sporting director outlined his admiration for Chaplin, who proved to be a welcomed leader in the Fratton Park dressing room during his season-long loan.
But he admitted his search for new recruits ahead of the summer transfer window opening on June 15 lay elsewhere.
When asked if Chaplin would return to Fratton Park next season, Hughes said: ‘At this point I would probably say no.
‘We're really grateful for Conor's impact around the group last year. I think Conor would probably be the first one to say it probably wasn't the return he hoped for, but what he was was an unbelievable character around the building and he was a leader, which I think speaks testament to Conor as a person and as a natural leader.
‘To come in as a loan player and show that level of commitment to a group in terms of how he developed it, how he worked with the younger players, how he trained consistently every day, and how he sort of engaged with everything that we ask of players in this football club is testament to him.
‘But it's not something that we pursued at the minute and not something we're really actively looking to bring in.
‘But I think anyone that spoke to anyone who's affiliated with this football club would tell you what an unbelievable person and character Conor is.
‘We've also sought his feedback on what he saw, what he thought and how we can get better as a group as well.’
Chaplin made 159 appearances for Pompey during his two spells with the club, scoring 27 goals.
Since his Ipswich departure was confirmed, the forward has admitted he already has a ‘few’ available to him.
For your next Pompey read: Portsmouth explore potential friendly in Germany as pre-season plans take shape