The talented goalkeeper had signed a new long-term Fratton Park deal the previous day

Not even 24 hours after pledging his Pompey future, Nicolas Schmid produced a magnificent last-gasp save to earn a Pride Park point.

Just another eye-catching example of why John Mousinho is adamant the talented Austrian is ‘definitely up there’ among the Championship’s finest goalkeepers.

On Friday evening, the Blue announced Schmid had signed a new Fratton Park contract, keeping him on the south coast until the summer of 2029.

The former BW Linz man’s existing deal was scheduled to expire at the season’s end, although Pompey did hold a 12-month club option.

And hours after extending his stay for another three-and-a-half years, the 28-year-old was spectacularly tipping over Patrick Agyemang’s goal-bound header to secure a 1-1 draw at Derby.

Portsmouth boss: I’m biased - and he’s excellent

Mousinho told The News: ‘I am naturally going to have a bias towards Nico. There are some excellent keepers within the league - and he is definitely up there.

‘I don’t want the headline to be we've got the best goalkeeper in the league, but I’ve always got a bias towards our players and I think he’s excellent.

‘We brought him in to compete for that number one spot last year and, ever since he has come in, he’s been brilliant. He was in the top three of our players of the season last year and one we really prioritised by making sure we could get a new deal done.

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‘Nico has been absolutely superb for us and is a huge asset for us. He’s very, very good on the pitch and very good off the pitch, you can see his quality and you see what he can do.

‘We’ve got a really competitive goalkeeping department on the whole. Ben (Killip) came in, Joe (Bursik) came in, they did very, very well and took us through the period where we had some significant injuries to Nico, Connor Ogilvie and Josh Murphy.

Nicolas Schmid last week signed a new Pompey deal, keeping him at Fratton Park until the summer of 2029. Picture: Portsmouth FC | Portsmouth FC

placeholder image — Nicolas Schmid last week signed a new Pompey deal, keeping him at Fratton Park until the summer of 2029. Picture: Portsmouth FC | Portsmouth FC

‘That was the strength in terms of what we are trying to do with that goalkeeping department. Obviously I then made the decision to bring Nico back in because I think he is our number one - and has proven that over the last few weeks.’

Recruited from BW Linz in August 2024

Initially recruited on a two-year deal in August 2024, the 2024-25 campaign began with League One title-winning goalkeeper Will Norris as starter.

However, after nine successive outings, the former Burnley man paid the price for a poor display in a 6-1 hammering at Stoke, with Schmid deposing him and subsequently establishing himself as first choice from September 2024 onwards.

Indeed, Norris never played for the Blues again and left by mutual consent in January before signing for League One Wycombe.

Schmid, who recovered from sustaining a broken hand at Southampton in September, has since totalled 47 appearances, with his latest outing the 1-1 at Derby.

Mousinho added: ‘It looked an excellent save from Nico on Saturday.

‘At the time I was probably more concerned that we conceded a shot in the first place because we didn’t quite see that game out as well as we could have done in terms of getting the ball into Derby’s half.

‘But, ultimately, that’s what he’s there for.’

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