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.

Photo: TWTD

Surco72 added 09:20 - Jul 14 Good Luck Brett your style of play was never suited to MM's, personally feel we have let the best finisher we have at the club go
19

cornishblu added 09:23 - Jul 14 Doesn't see it as a drop down......clear as to what he thought of us ...for those that are satisfied with MM take note Really do hope we did get a fee for him...too many leave for nothing ...would be nice to have git something back
11

classicblue added 09:36 - Jul 14 This is a disaster ! We shouldn't be getting rid of this type of player. What is really needed is a change of manager and tactics.
13

howdonblue added 09:43 - Jul 14 Good luck Brett
11

Cheshire_Blue added 09:50 - Jul 14 "Win lose or draw they get behind the team" Take note.
4

iaintaylorx added 09:52 - Jul 14 Undisclosed fee? Hope we got a little for him then as it would be stupid if it was a free!
10

peteswindon added 10:02 - Jul 14 Sorry to see him go, But good luck Brett
6

runningout added 10:10 - Jul 14 Pitman didn't let us down, won't let's Pompey down either
11

ianmarshall10 added 10:24 - Jul 14 Can't see why most town fans wanted to keep Pitman he's not a striker who's gonna get you the goals for promotion....no brainier letting him go not good enough.
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Warkys_Tash added 10:40 - Jul 14 Pitman is a proper striker, knows where the net is for sure. Good in the air, on the ground. Very good accuracy, technically the best striker at the club - up there with McGoldrick. Unfortunately he does lack pace and that's his biggest chink in his armour. When he steps up for a pen you always feel he is going to score. Surprised no other Championship club wanted him. For me McCarthy didn't play him enough last season & when he did he played him up front on his own to chase shadows - not his game & not his fault. Good luck Brett, no doubt you be a huge success at Pompey. Good signing for them.

10

Bluebell added 11:06 - Jul 14 I'm sorry he has gone without a proper replacement yet. Pitman could score goals if he got the ball to his feet. I am sure he will do well at Pompey with the correct service. Good luck Brett!
10

Cookycrew added 11:17 - Jul 14 On the plus side : Very good finisher. At his best when coming off the bench after 60mins, can be a game-changer. On the negative side : Not a 90minute player, tends to drift out of the game foir long period's & regularly has an attitude problem when the ball is not laid on a plate to him. Overall : Would have kept him as a super-sub option only.
2

brian_a_mul added 11:39 - Jul 14 He should score goals in League 2. Best of luck Pitts, hope to see you back in Championship in the not too distant future. No doubt you will score a few against us if you cross paths with ITFC!
2

planetblue_2011 added 11:48 - Jul 14 Ridiculous can't believe we have sold the best striker at the club. This is what I think, not everyone will agree. Good luck to Brett hope he does score loads of goals & help Pompey go up. Can't see many cheaper players out there at the moment replacing him at town. Oh well just have to wait & see who we bring in next.
6

jas0999 added 12:16 - Jul 14 Excluding Spence and Hughes who were part of last seasons squad, there is now a shortfall of NINE players from last year. It's mid-July. The spin machine will be working overtime. Permanent players Berra and Pitman MUST be replaced by permanent players. Otherwise where would it fit into Evans laughable five point plan? Folk that haven't renewed are unlikely to be regretting their decision. Two large fees paid - like last Summer, but what's the betting just like last year a key asset will be sold to recoup those fees and some? Still, at least Evans has removed some high earners from the books. A point Milne will conveniently forget to mention. Best of luck to Pitman.

3

dawoolah added 13:15 - Jul 14 Scored some great goals for us and as many have said 'a natural finisher'. Will score a hatful of goals in League 2. Best of luck Brett.
2

Taricco_Fan added 13:27 - Jul 14 The best finisher at the club, gone. What a terrible decision by McCarthy to let this proven goalscorer go. Best of luck, Brett. I hope you're happier at a club that likes to play good football. That was always the problem here: too much direct, long-ball football. Pitman likes ball-to-feet, pass-and-move with players running off him.
2

woollyhattedliberal added 13:33 - Jul 14 anyone would think we had sold Luis Suarez for a fiver a reasonable impact substitute no more
-2

Edmundo added 14:32 - Jul 14 Absolutely must replace with quality, otherwise suddenly the summer cash spent will still be a step back. Can see us struggling for goals again. No quality up front. Excepting a totally unforseen season of Murphy magic, when did we last have a great striker?
2

Seasider added 15:09 - Jul 14 Well he has done it again,sold a player before acquiring a replacement . Like many on here was pleased with earlier moves both on and off the field. Now however seems to have lapsed back into old habits ie this week letting right back and leading scorer at Club go before having replacement's in situ. Also failing to compete in market,or not being decisive enough to acquire coveted players. JAS. has already pointed out that Club is some 10 players down on last season. I have said previously that this is okay provided money is spent on less players who are of higher calibre that will give us a chance of the long awaited promotion. Was hopeful , but not so sure now,especially with this management team. I await start of new season,and will know by end of September how things are progressing,if at all !

2

Campag_Velocet added 15:34 - Jul 14 Our squad last season was far too big. We've now got twenty-one experienced players (including Celina, Kenlock and Dozzell, not including Moore and Emmanuel). In terms of numbers, we're fine. If you have injuries, you bring the kids through.
1

Brownie added 16:20 - Jul 14 All the best - good finisher I thought but perhaps lacked pace. Can't say I noticed a poor attitude mentioned by some. Agree we need to buy players..
1

runaround added 17:30 - Jul 14 Good luck Pits! A natural goalscorer but not the right fit for a McCarthy type side
1

SouperJim added 17:31 - Jul 14 Fantastic signing for them and he'll do untold damage in League Two. Poor man management from McCarthy for me, the best finisher at the club and a game-changing player to come off our bench.
2

sweetguytom added 17:41 - Jul 14 why are people saying he will score goals loads in league 2? Portsmouth are in league one now.
2

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