Then there are others who have provided real value at a cost – or massively increased in standing in their time at Fratton Park.
You’ve been nominating your biggest Pompey bargains of all time – here’s who you came up with.
9. Kanu
The King was training in his local park, so the story goes, before signing for Pompey on the eve of the 2006-07 season for free. We all know what happened next. Photo: Steve Reid
10. Matt Clarke
Came as a makeweight in the deal which saw Adam Webster join Ipswich. Outstanding over three years before joining Brighton for £4m in 2019. Photo: Joe Pepler
11. Barry Horne
Signed from Wrexham for £60,000 in 1987 and then departed for Southampton for £700,000 a couple of seasons later. Photo: -
12. Sylvain Distin
Unbelievable quality and all as free transfer signing from Manchester City between 2007 and 2009. Photo: Daniel Hambury