‘Trying to push’: Portsmouth new-boy makes strong transfer admission after £2.2m deadline day switch
Tyrese Shade completed a multi-million pound move to Pompey on deadline day.
Tyrese Shade has lifted the lid on his ‘stressful’ deadline day switch to Fratton Park following an ‘intense’ summer transfer window.
But the attacker shared his excitement at being unleashed in the Championship after an outstanding League One campaign with Burton Albion.
Shade completed his much-anticipated switch to Fratton Park from the Brewers in the final knockings of the summer window in a deal which could rise as high as £2.2m.
That marked just his second outing of the campaign, with the St Kitts and Nevis international only featuring once off the bench for Burton prior to his move as speculation over his future mounted.
£2.2m deadline day arrival lifts lid on ‘intense’ Pompey move
Now at Fratton Park, though, Shade has explained the stressful nature of his deadline day move and when the Blues’ interest first emerged.
Speaking to the club’s official website, he said: ‘It feels amazing. It’s been a bit of an intense summer for me but I’m glad to finally be here now.
‘(Deadline day was) stressful, but in the end enjoyable - bit of mixed emotions.
‘The first interest came in January and then ever since then I’ve been trying to push and push and show myself how good I can be to make the step up to this big club.
‘Initially, it (the conversations with John Mousinho) was about my profile and how I fit in.
‘The lads play exciting football with wingers and that’s where I think I’m really comfortable so it’s about me getting more comfortable, expressing myself and showing how exciting I can be.
‘This will be my first experience (of Championship football) but I’m expecting it to be tough.
‘It’s a very physically league, a lot of goals scored so hopefully I can now do that myself.’
Pompey new-boy turns to familiar face at Fratton
Shade became the 12th and final arrival through the doors at Fratton Park after a hectic summer in the transfer window for the Blues.
However, there is one familiar face the Blues’ newest recruit has turned to, with that being Odin Bailey, who kick-started Pompey’s business in June.
The pair grew up together in Birmingham before going off to enjoying careers in the EFL ahead of their respective moves to PO4 in the summer.
And Shade has admitted the midfielder, along with the rest of Mousinho’s squad, have been welcoming with open arms since his switch.
‘I don’t want to big him up too much. We’re really good friends, we grew up playing together so it’s good to come down here and be together again.
‘So far, they’ve been very welcoming. A lot of senior boys, a few young ones so it’s a good group, a mixed bunch.’