'High standards': The Hayling Island youngster bouncing back in style after Portsmouth heartbreak
The Hayling Island youngster made nine appearances for Pompey before his May 2024 exit
A former Pompey youngster is toasting a new two-year deal as he continues to flourish following Fratton Park heartbreak.
Harry Jewitt-White made nine first-team appearances for his boyhood club, before being released in the summer of 2024 at the age of 20.
Still, the Hayling Island youngster bounced back from that body blow to win a contract with NIFL Premiership side Crusaders just months later.
Northern Ireland move
Having impressed during a trial, Jewitt-White was snapped up by the Belfast-based club on a two-year deal in August 2024.
Injuries have subsequently checked his encouraging progress at times, including an eight-month spell on the sidelines with a persistent shoulder injury which required two operations.
Nonetheless, after totalling 43 appearances and six goals for the Hatchetmen, they have this week handed the out-of-contract 22-year-old a fresh two-year deal.
By doing so, Jewitt-White has joined team-mates Oilibhear McCart and Lloyd Anderson in pledging their futures to a club which last season successfully avoided relegation following a play-off penalty shoot-out clash with Annagh.
And Crusaders manager Declan Caddell is delighted to have extended the services of the former Fratton Park youngster.
‘Harry gives us tremendous energy in midfield’
‘Each player brings something different to the group and all three have earned these new contracts through their attitude, commitment and performances.
‘Lloyd continues to grow in influence and has a big future ahead of him. Harry gives us tremendous energy in midfield and sets high standards every day in training and matches.
‘Oilibhear is a young player we’re excited about and someone we believe can continue to develop into an important player for this football club.
‘Retaining good players is just as important as bringing new players in, so we’re pleased to have all three committed to Crusaders for the years ahead.’
Jewitt-White made his Pompey debut as a 16-year-old, coming off the bench in the EFL Trophy against West Ham Under-21s in November 2020.
He had to wait another two years and two months before John Mousinho handed him a Football League bow in a 2-1 defeat at Peterborough in January 2023 after coming off the bench.
Then, in April 2023, the midfielder started his first league game in a 1-0 Fratton Park victory over Accrington.
However, he didn’t feature in League One during Pompey’s memorable 2023-24 title-winning season, instead playing two EFL Trophy matches and spending time on loan with the Hawks.
The former Wales Under-19 international was among 10 players released by the Blues in the summer of 2024, including Joe Rafferty, Sean Raggett and Joe Morrell.
And now Jewitt-White continues to thrive with regular first-team football in Northern Ireland.
Your Next Pompey Read: Portsmouth quartet have come of age - and it has given Blues a big transfer window headache