Pompey have raided Premier League Brentford to sign defender Benjamin Arthur

Pompey have unveiled their eighth signing of the transfer window - and it’s a surprise new arrival.

With many fans expecting the Blues to announce the signing of Chelsea youngster Ryan Kavuma-McQueen just two days after welcoming Abu Kamara back, the Fratton Park side have instead named Benjamin Arthur as their latest new addition.

The 20-year-old centre-back has moved to PO4 on loan from Brentford.

The move is his second loan spell away from the Bees after he spent time on loan at Celtic last season, featuring six times for the Scottish Premiership champions.

A product of Peterborough United’s youth ranks, the England under-20 international moved to the Gtech Community Stadium in 2023, where he linked up with Brentford’s B team.

Arthur was named the club’s under-21 payer of the Year at the end of the 2024-25 campaign, helping them secure the Professional Development League trophy.

He was then promoted to the first-team ranks and handed a new six-year deal with the Bees, making his debut in a Carabao Cup victory over Aston Villa.

That was one of three appearances he made for Keith Andrews’ Premier League side.

Arthur was allowed to join Celtic at the end of the last January transfer window, where he helped the Hoops secure a league and cup double.

His Fratton Park arrival takes the number of specialised centre-back on the Blues’ books back up to six, following Ibane Bowat’s exit last week.

With that in mind, another defensive departure could well be on the cards with head coach John Mousinho keen to have five centre-backs in his squad for the forthcoming Championship campaign.

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