The 2026 summer transfer window is now officially open, with clubs able to do business.
Over the years, there have been a number of season-defining transfer windows which have heralded success - and also some absolute stinkers.
Here we rank Pompey’s last 12 summer windows, starting from the worst and finishing at the very best…
9. 5) 2024
Facing their first Championship season for 12 years, John Mousinho’s squad required substantial strengthening to cope with the step up. Of the 15 signings, seven involved transfer fees, reflecting a move away from the reliance on unearthing outstanding free transfers. Having said that, the classy Josh Murphy was the second new arrival. Certainly Murphy has been Pompey’s best winger since the Premier League years and fellow free agents Andre Dozzell and Matt Ritchie also proved to be excellent bits of business. Austrian goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid was inspired overseas recruitment and West Ham’s Freddie Potts, who had spent the previous season on loan at Wycombe, also shone brightly for the Blues. The less said about Elias Sorensen, Abdoulaye Kamara and Sammy Silvera the better, while Jacob Farrell has, to date, played just three games in two seasons. Signings: Jordan Williams (free), Josh Murphy (free), Reuben Swann (bought), Jordan Archer (free), Sammy Silvera (loan), Jacob Farrell (bought), Elias Sorensen (bought), Andre Dozzell (free), Matt Ritchie (free), Abdoulaye Kamara (bought), Nicolas Schmid (bought), Harvey Blair (bought), Freddie Potts (loan), Mark O’Mahony (loan), Ibane Bowat (bought).
10. 4) Summer of 2022
Danny Cowley’s best transfer window for Pompey. It started with Marlon Pack coming home after leaving Cardiff and soon free agents Zak Swanson and Joe Rafferty had joined him at Fratton Park. With the Blues also splashing out £500,000 on Colby Bishop, the foundations were laid for the team which would win the League One title and also represent Pompey in the Championship, albeit after Cowley had gone. Curiously, that quartet were the only ones which really came off of the 11 players signed that summer. Perhaps that’s a little harsh on Tom Lowery, a decent player who had an injury-ravaged stay. Dane Scarlett underwhelmed, Michael Morrison came and went, Josh Koroma had no appetite to impress, while the fans never really took to Josh Griffiths. Signings: Marlon Pack (free), Zak Swanson (free), Joe Rafferty (free), Josh Griffiths (loan), Joe Pigott (loan), Josh Oluwayemi (free), Colby Bishop (bought), Michael Morrison (free), Dane Scarlett (loan), Tom Lowery (free), Owen Dale (loan), Josh Koroma (loan). | Getty Images
11. 3) Summer of 2018
Kenny Jackett’s second summer of recruitment started off impressively, with Ronan Curtis, Craig MacGillivray, Tom Naylor and Lee Brown all arriving in the opening three weeks. There was also a gem unearthed in the loan market, with Ben Thompson signed from Millwall. Indeed, his January 2019 recall by the Championship club is widely regarded as the moment which cost Pompey promotion that season. Still, all five proved to be excellent signings, with Curtis, MacGillivray, Naylor and Brown also part of the Checkatrade Trophy-winning side against Sunderland that season. Louis Dennis struggled, while loanees David Wheeler and Joe Mason were very underwhelming. Andre Green scored at Norwich in the FA Cup, though. Signings: Ronan Curtis (bought), Louis Dennis (free), Craig MacGillivray (free), Tom Naylor (free), Lee Brown (free), Anton Walkes (bought), David Wheeler (loan), Ben Thompson (loan), Andre Green (loan), Joe Mason (loan).
12. 2) Summer of 2023
Sporting director Rich Hughes had already overseen January 2023 business, yet this was his first summer transfer window at Fratton Park - and it would signal stunning work. It was a racing start for Pompey, with five players arriving in the opening three days, including Will Norris, Conor Shaughnessy, Christian Saydee and Terry Devlin. Later they were joined by Kusini Yengi and Regan Poole, before the Blues dipped into the loan market to recruit Abu Kamara, Alex Robertson and Tino Anjorin. Of the 14 players who signed that summer, only Saydee, Devlin, Anthony Scully and Yengi involved transfer fees, with seven arriving on free transfers. Supporter reaction to the addition of Shaughnessy, a defender who had left Burton, was particularly lukewarm - yet it would be his goal which clinched the League One title that season. To think Poole, Devlin and Shaughnessy are now automatic first-team choices in Pompey’s Championship side, when fit. Signings: Will Norris (free), Conor Shaughnessy (free), Christian Saydee (bought), Terry Devlin (bought), Anthony Scully (bought), Ben Stevenson (free), Jack Sparkes (free), Gavin Whyte (free), Kusini Yengi (bought), Regan Poole (free), Abu Kamara (loan), Ryan Schofield (free), Alex Robertson (loan), Tino Anjorin (loan). | Jason Brown/ProSportsImages