Rich Hughes shares thinking behind Portsmouth's swoop for in-demand Oxford winger who has disappointed Derby and Blackburn

The sporting director reiterated the thoughts of John Mousinho that the Blues have signed probably one of the better players from League One ahead of their return to the Championship.

Hughes also paid tribute to the ambition shown by Pompey as they saw off some stiff competition to land the now former Oxford winner, whose two goals in the play-off final against Bolton helped the U’s book their spot in next season’s Championship.

Murphy - who was also linked with Derby, Sunderland and Blackburn - signed a three-year deal at Fratton Park on Tuesday night and is the Blues’ second signing of the summer following the free transfer arrival of Jordan Williams.

Speaking to Sky Sports following the release of Pompey’s Championship fixtures, Hughes said Murphy was a player the Fratton faithful will love watching.

‘We’re delighted (with the signing),’ said the sporting director. ‘The business we’ve done so far in terms of the free agents we’ve brought in were a couple of players that we highlighted that we thought could really add to the group. So Jordan Williams coming in, then Josh late last night. We’re really, really pleased.

‘Obviously, John’s got a good relationship with Josh from his time at Oxford together and that helped us. But I think it’s probably testament to the work going on behind the scenes in terms of the ownership, the rest of the structure and the ambition that we’re trying to put in place that we were able to take probably one of the better players from League One last year and obviously had that wonderful game in the play-off final back in May.

‘So really delighted to bring him in. I think he’s a player who the fans will very much enjoy getting to know and getting to enjoy and get to watch as the season kicks off and we get going.’