Four years at Portsmouth: Rich Hughes' best - and worst - Fratton Park transfers

The Blues’ sporting director arrived from Forest Green Rovers in September 2022

Chief sports writer

Published 29th Sep 2026, 17:03 BST

Updated 29th Sep 2026, 17:07 BST

Today marks four years since Rich Hughes was appointed Pompey’s sporting director.

During that period he has overseen promotion to the Championship and the signings of 78 players, while working with two head of recruitments in Phil Boardman and current incumbent Brad Wall.

To mark Hughes’ Fratton Park anniversary, we have selected his six best Blues signings - and his six worst. In no particular order...

1. Josh Murphy celebrates scoring against Blackburn in March 2025. Picture: Jason Brown

Jason Brown/ProSportsImages

The sixth - and final - Australian signing of the Hughes era and currently the most successful.
From the moment he turned out against Woking in the 2025 pre-season, the attacker has shone with his energy, enthusiasm, work-rate, and that deadly left foot.
His maiden English season produced 11 goals, including a hat-trick at Stoke, to finish as leading scorer in 2025-26. He also has two this term and, still aged only 22, has a hugely promising future ahead.

2. Adrian Segecic - HIT

The sixth - and final - Australian signing of the Hughes era and currently the most successful. From the moment he turned out against Woking in the 2025 pre-season, the attacker has shone with his energy, enthusiasm, work-rate, and that deadly left foot. His maiden English season produced 11 goals, including a hat-trick at Stoke, to finish as leading scorer in 2025-26. He also has two this term and, still aged only 22, has a hugely promising future ahead. | Getty Images Photo: Harriet Massey/Getty Images

In financial terms, Pompey almost received the money they paid Danish club Esbjerg for him when he was shipped out of Fratton Park to Valerenga after just five months.
Subsequently, there was also a sell-on, entitling them to a share of the fee involved in his June 2026 move to PEC Zwolle, so on the one hand there were positives to Sorensen’s south-coast stay.
He also scored 23 minutes into his Pompey debut at Leeds, but it was soon apparent he was not at Championship level and, in 13 games, that strike and a missed penalty against Oxford was all the Dane had to show for a second stint in England.

3. Elias Sorensen - MISS

In financial terms, Pompey almost received the money they paid Danish club Esbjerg for him when he was shipped out of Fratton Park to Valerenga after just five months. Subsequently, there was also a sell-on, entitling them to a share of the fee involved in his June 2026 move to PEC Zwolle, so on the one hand there were positives to Sorensen’s south-coast stay. He also scored 23 minutes into his Pompey debut at Leeds, but it was soon apparent he was not at Championship level and, in 13 games, that strike and a missed penalty against Oxford was all the Dane had to show for a second stint in England. | Getty Images

Recruited as a 19-year-old from Northern Ireland Premiership side Glentoran, he has blossomed into an outstanding performer who attracted a £2m bid from Wrexham.
Arrived as an energetic central midfielder and is now flourishing at right-back, winning 17 individual awards in the 2025-26 season, reflecting his popularity among supporters.
Now also a Northern Ireland international, the £50,000 signing has proven to be an outstanding capture.

4. Terry Devlin - HIT

Recruited as a 19-year-old from Northern Ireland Premiership side Glentoran, he has blossomed into an outstanding performer who attracted a £2m bid from Wrexham. Arrived as an energetic central midfielder and is now flourishing at right-back, winning 17 individual awards in the 2025-26 season, reflecting his popularity among supporters. Now also a Northern Ireland international, the £50,000 signing has proven to be an outstanding capture. | Graham Hunt/ProSportsImages