Former Manchester City and Dortmund talent completes surprise switch after left-field Portsmouth summer links
Pompey were linked with a move for former Manchester City winger Jayden Braaf in the summer.
Pompey were linked with a move for former Manchester City & Borussia Dortmund winger Jayden Braaf earlier this summer, but speculation was wide of the mark.
John Mousinho’s men were touted with the 24-year-old in April as transfer gossip began to circle ahead of the window as the Blues secured Championship survival.
The report suggested the Blues were one of a number of clubs across Europe interested in Braaf, who rose through the ranks at the Etihad Stadium as a youngster.
Spanish outfit Cadiz were also named, while Dutch top-flight side Ado den Haag were believed to be leading the pursuit at the time.
Pompey summer-linked winger makes European switch
While reports of a move to PO4 were wide of the mark in the summer, the Dutch youth international has found a new home 12-months after his Hellas Verona exit in September 2025.
Braaf has since signed for Belgian outfit Lierse SK, where he penned a one-year deal until the summer of 2027.
The Yellow and Black Army currently sit 12th out of 15 teams in the Challenger League - Belgium’s second division - having won just one of their opening five matches.
As the winger continues to build up fitness, he’s featured twice since his arrival, amassing just 10 minutes of match minutes from the bench.
However, Braaf was a surprise absentee as Lierse fell to a 3-1 defeat to table-topping Beerschot last-time out.
Who was reported Pompey target Jayden Braaf?
Braaf rose through the ranks with Manchester City and was highly-rated having impressed heavily at youth level with the Premier League side.
The versatile winger netted 12 goals in 24 games at U23s level at the Etihad Stadium after scoring three goals and providing two assists at U18s level.
The forward departed Man City in 2022 before joining Borussia Dortmund, where he registered seven appearances for Dortmund’s second team in the 3.Liga.
After a frustrating stay at the Signal Iduna Park, Braaf joined Hellas Verona just 12 months later and failed to register a goal or an assist in any of his six outings in all competitions.
During his three year stay at the Marcantonio Bentegodi Stadium, the 24-year-old spent time on loan with Dutch side Fortuna Sittard and Italian Serie B side Salernitana.
He was released by Verona in September 2025 and has since joined Belgian second-tier outfit Lierse on a permanent basis following his left-field Fratton Park links in the summer.