‘Has all my support’: Brighton midfielder offers surprise backing to new Portsmouth favourite following shock move

It’s been an action-packed start to life in England for new Pompey favourite Gustavo Caballero.

And less than a month after his deadline-day move from Brazil, the 24-year-old appears to have swiftly rekindled a long-standing friendship with international team-mate and Brighton midfielder Diego Gomez

It’s been a frenetic start to life at Fratton Park for the winger, who penned a loan deal for the remainder of the campaign from Santos - although the Blues do hold an option to make the move permanent in the summer.

After a cameo appearance from the bench against Preston North End, Caballero has gone on to amass three-successive starts - and netted his first goal for the club in last Saturday’s 3-1 win over promotion-chasing Millwall.

Although the language barrier continues to cause him a ‘bit of trouble’, the Paraguayan is adapting well to life on the English south coast.

But the winger does, though, have one familiar face who has reached out to him following his deadline day switch, with Brighton full-back Gomez offering support during his time at Fratton Park.

The 22-year-old has spent 18 months at the Amex Stadium following an £11m move from Inter Miami in January 2025. Since then, the versatile midfielder has become a regular fixture in Fabian Hurzeler’s squad, amassing 31 appearances in all competitions to date.

Gomez is someone Caballero knows well, with the pair helping Paraguay to reach the quarter-finals of the 2024 Olympics, which were being held in France.

The Pompey loanee featured three times in Paris before Carlos Jara Saguires men fell to penalty shootout defeat to Egypt.

Brighton midfielder offers surprise back to new Pompey favourite

Indeed, the Brighton man has already reached out to Caballero and has offered him support throughout his time at Fratton Park.

Gomez told The Brighton Argus: ‘I played with him in the Olympics in 2024. When he arrived here, I sent him a message.

‘I told him he will always have a mate here and, if I can help him, I am always available for any Paraguayan players who come here.

‘We are in contact. I just said if he needs anything, to ask.

‘I’ve just seen he scored today (against Millwall). It’s great to see another Paraguayan come here.

‘His league is super-competitive and I wish him all the best and hopefully he keeps going as he is. He has all my support.’

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Gustavo Caballero’s time at Pompey so far

It’s been an all-action start to Caballero’s Pompey career after solid showings against Charlton and Millwall.

However, the winger was kept frustratingly quiet against Wrexham in midweek and was withdrawn at half-time, with the Blues 2-0 down in North Wales.

Harvey Blair was utilised after the break by John Mousinho, with the ex-Liverpool man looking bright on his return from a hip-flexor issue sustained last month against Arsenal.

Pompey’s gruelling Championship schedule continues on Saturday, with fifth-placed Hull City making the long-trip south to Fratton Park.

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