Shock switch for Portsmouth flop and former Coventry City striker Tyler Walker - 4 years after failed Fratton loan
Tyler Walker netted one goal in 15 appearances during an underwhelming Fratton Park loan stay.
Former Pompey striker Tyler Walker has completed a surprise top-flight switch to revitalise his faltering career.
The 30-year-old, who was released by Barrow following their League Two relegation last term, has sealed a permanent move to Welsh Premier League outfit PenyBont on a free transfer.
It represents the striker’s fifth different club since his disappointing Fratton Park loan came to a close in 2022, which has since seen him suffer a wretched time with injury and form over the past four years.
.jpeg?crop=3:2,smart&trim=&width=640&quality=65)
Ex-Pompey, Nottingham Forest & Coventry man completes surprise top-flight switch
Walker’s move was announced ahead of Bont's season opener against The New Saints on Sunday, with the experienced frontman coming off the bench in the goalless draw, played in front of a record 1,025 attendance at DragonBet Park.
He had been joined by the likes of ex-Pompey regulars Josh Oluwayemi, John Marquis, Tom McIntyre, Anthony Scully, Ben Close, Lee Evans, Andre Green and Omar Bogle, who have all signed up for the 2026 camp.
He linked up with the programme following his release by Barrow at the end of the campaign following their relegation from League Two.
The Bluebirds opted against extending the forward’s time in the north west as Adam Murray assembled his squad for National League football next season.
Now, Walker is turning to Wales’ top-flight to revitalise his stuttering career, which has seen him score just four league goals since his Fratton Park loan stay.
Tyler Walker’s Pompey loan stay
Walker was one of five players recruited by Danny Cowley in January 2022, arriving on a temporary deal from Coventry.
Despite a bright start to life on the south coast, the 30-year-old’s stay failed to hit the heights many expected.
He netted just one goal in his 15 outings at PO4, with his sole strike coming against relegated Crewe Alexandra.
After an underwhelming display during a 1-0 defeat to Cheltenham Town, Walker was an unused substitute in all of the Blues’ remaining six League One matches
The former Pompey boss told The News in April 2022: ‘(It’s) not (clicked) yet.
‘It’s the life of the number nine and Tyler is someone we know really well as we’ve worked with him before, and he’s been successful in our teams before.
‘He did brilliantly for Lincoln while we were there. To this point it hasn’t worked, but it hasn’t been for the want of trying.
‘His attitude and work ethic has been excellent and there’s no one who wants to be successful more than Tyler.
‘Sometimes it just doesn’t happen.
‘This is football, but I have no doubt that with his work ethic, attitude, and quality he has, he will bounce back and come back even stronger as a consequence.’
Following his Pompey stay, Walker has since featured for Coventry, Lincoln, National League Wealdstone and Barrow before making the move to PenyBont on Sunday.