'Pushing hard’: Fresh interest in former Portsmouth favourite Christian Burgess as Fratton faithful clamour over return
Former Pompey defender Christian Burgess is attracting interest on the continent following his departure from Union Saint-Gilloise.
There is clamour amongst some Pompey fans that an emotional reunion with Christian Burgess could be on the cards this summer.
The popular defender is currently a free agent following his departure from Belgian outfit Union Saint-Gilloise at the end of the campaign.
The 34-year-old enjoyed an outstanding six-year stay at the Joseph Marien Stadium, amassing 260 appearances - including successful displays in the Champions League and Europa League.
During his time with Les Unionistes, Burgess claimed the Belgian second-tier title as well as Jupiler Pro League success in 2025.
Christian Burgess attracting fresh interest after exit
This means the former Pompey man will be available on a free transfer, which has alerted some members of the Fratton faithful.
However, reports on the continent are suggesting Burgess will be staying put in Belgium this summer.
Belgian transfer guru, Sacha Tavolieri, has claimed KAA Gent are ‘pushing hard’ to secure the League Two title winner, who also has interest from abroad.
The Arsenal youth product has reportedly received an offer from the Buffalos following his USG exit, with Rik De Mil’s men ‘determined’ to sign the defender.
Twelve-months ago, Burgess was the subject of interest from the middle east, with Saudi clubs apparently keeping tabs on the 34-year-old.
While the former Middlesbrough and Peterborough United man does have reported interest from abroad, he has no intentions of a return to Pompey and English football before the end of his career.
Former Pompey defender rules out Fratton and England returns
There was hope from some Blues supporters that John Mousinho’s men could lure the central defender back to PO4, where he amassed 210 outings across a five-year stay.
He said at the time: ‘Coming back to England is never going to happen, it’s just never going to happen.
‘There have been a few social media messages from Pompey fans in jest trying to get me back there because obviously they know I’m playing in the Champions League next year.
‘But then there have been others saying “Come back tomorrow”. Maybe they don’t know what I would have to give up to return to Pompey!
‘There’s just not the right fit any more for where my career is and where Pompey are. I don’t even think they’d want to sign a 33-year-old centre-half because there’s no value in it for them, apart from performance.
‘There’s no resale value, even if they signed me for free, which they probably could. Union would never stand in my way if it was something I really wanted.
‘It just doesn't match up, though, it’s not one of those realistic things. My time for Pompey has gone, probably England is gone, but I love having a good relationship with the club and I still always follow their results.
‘Even if a top Championship club offered something better financially, do you want to go and play 24 away games in a season, constantly away from your family? Or do you remain in Belgium, where we never stay over in hotels because everything is so close, apart from the occasional 1pm kick-off.
‘Ross Sykes, who we signed from Accrington, has had some interest from the Championship, but he’s here competing for the top level in Belgium and playing European football. He has just signed a long-term deal to stay, he sees his future here.
‘For me, England is just not going to happen, especially at my age.’