‘One of the missing pieces’: Portsmouth favourite makes big Abu Kamara billing after sealing £2.5m homecoming
Abu Kamara collected his first assist for Pompey since his £2.5m signing from Hull City during Saturday’s 3-1 triumph over Lincoln City
Abu Kamara has been hailed as one of the missing pieces in Pompey’s attack by Marlon Pack.
And the skipper has shared the conversations he’s had with the winger in a bid to reignite his form and confidence after his Hull City difficulties.
Kamara, of course, played a key role in Pompey’s 2023-25 title winning campaign during a successful season-long stint at Fratton Park before joining the Tigers at the end of his loan in a £4.5m deal from Norwich City.
But after much speculation regarding his future, the England youth international made his long-awaited return to the south coast earlier this summer in a £2.5m switch from the MKM Stadium.
Pompey skipper’s big Abu Kamara billing after £2.5m capture
And Pack has shared his delight at securing Kamara’s services once again and his hopeful his addition can transform John Mousinho’s frontline.
The skipper told The News: ‘Yeah it’s really good (to have him back). I think he spoke about it on his signing video that every year I reach out and make communication.
‘Everyone has seen his brilliance in two games already, some real flashes.
‘He’s one of the missing pieces we needed and now it’s about how can we give him the platform to go and thrive and to show his quality.
‘As you’ve seen, there is probably a little bit more to come from Abs but once he gets going and gains that confidence he’s going to give us a real threat on that right-hand side.’
What Marlon Pack said to Abu Kamara following Fratton return
Despite a brilliant loan campaign on loan at Fratton Park where Kamara collected 21 goal contributions in 52 appearances in all competitions, he was unable to eclipse his form with Hull City.
The winger netted just five goals in 40 outings for the Tigers before being shipped out on loan to Getafe last summer, where he failed to score or assist in 13 showings for the La Liga outfit.
Now back at Fratton Park, Pack is hoping a confident free-flowing Kamara will be tough prospect for opposition defences.
‘That’s like anyone on that top line, any attacking player. To get confidence they obviously have to be performing well but they also have to get those assists and goal contributions.
‘Then when they get into that grove they’ll be in that flow.
‘I spoke with him and Ryan (Kavuma-McQueen) before the game and said anytime you get in a 1v1, please be positive, be purposeful because us players behind the ball will give you that support to go and do that.
‘You give the ball away, that's fine, that’s manageable, we care about you being brave, purposeful and having conviction in what you do. If you do mess up then it’s just about that positive reaction.
‘Both players did that and we bought Murph on, Segs in the pocket so we’ve got some really good options up there now.’