Released Pompey defender Joe Dandy heading to Pallo-Iirot in Finland

The 18-year-old, who was let go by the Blues this month following the expiry of his third-year scholarship, will link up with former Pompey coach Scott Green at the Rauma-based side.

Green has been in charge at the Äijänsuon Stadion since October 2018 and has returned to his former employers in a bid to boost his side’s current seventh place in Kakkonen group B.

Last June, Mark Kelly told The News how the Blues had built up a rapport with Pallo-Iirot and were weighing up sending players out on loan to help youngsters’ progress.

Dandy, who can play at either centre-back or right-back, skippered the Blues’ academy last campaign and was named the Scholar of the Year at the club’s end-of-season gala dinner.

Having suffered a long-term knee injury towards the back end of last term, the Ascot-born teenager was invited back to Fratton Park in the summer to get fit.

He then penned a contract until January and had a spell on loan at Bognor.

Dandy also went on trial with National League side Aldershot last month.

He’s expected to link up with his new club on Febraury 12.