Striker Brett Pitman’s move to Portsmouth has been formally confirmed by the two clubs. Yesterday, TWTD was first to reveal that the 29-year-old was set to join Pompey.
As prematurely revealed by Portsmouth last night, Pitman has signed a three-year deal with the League One new boys for an undisclosed fee.
The former AFC Bournemouth and Bristol City frontman says his switch came about after a conversation with Blues boss Mick McCarthy. As reported at the time, the Jersey-born frontman was made available for transfer in May.
"Coming back to the south coast is nice and this is a big club, so it’s something I’m really looking forward to,” he told the Portsmouth official website.
”I don’t see this as a drop down — I see it as an opportunity to push on and hopefully get promoted again.”
"I had a good chat with the manager at Ipswich and we both decided that it was time for me to move on.
"But I don’t see this as a drop down — I see it as an opportunity to push on and hopefully get promoted again.”
Pitman says he will be looking to replicate his experience with the Cherries, from whom he joined the Blues in the summer of 2015.
"When I went back to Bournemouth I signed a three-year contract and we were in League One, but when I left they were in the Premier League — who’s to say that can’t happen again?” he added.
"This is too big a club for League Two and arguably it’s too big for League One, so our collective aim has to be to go up to the next level.
"I spoke to the manager — and he’s been successful in this division before — and he sold the project to me. I’ve never set a target and I won’t this season, but I’ll try to score as many goals as I possibly can.
"Walking out for the first league game in front of those fans will be special and it’s one of the things I’m most looking forward to.
"I’ve played at Fratton Park for the visiting team before and you always come away saying how good they are. Win, lose or draw they get behind the team.”
In total, Pitman scored 15 goals in 42 starts and 28 sub appearances for the Blues and was the club's top scorer with 11 in the 2015/16 campaign.