With pre-season underway and plenty of transfer activity left to be done, it’s easy to forget that Nathan Thompson is yet to renew with Portsmouth.
The Pompey right-back has been a prolific figure in the starting XI since his arrival from Swindon Town in the summer of 2017, playing 79 games for Kenny Jackett’s side and being involved in 11 goals for the club, but with the 28-year-old defender’s contract running up at the end of this month, it is looking likely that Thompson will be on his way out at Fratton Park.
This has been all but confirmed by Jackett himself, who said to the Portsmouth News: “The addition of James Bolton does naturally cover Nathan Thompson. I haven’t read that Nathan has signed anywhere. But, from our point of view, it looks like he is heading for pastures new.
“James has been brought in with that in mind. At 24, he has a good balance of experience in the division but has the hunger to do well and step up to a big club, so I’m really looking forward to working with him.”
With a four year age gap between Bolton and Thompson as well as Anton Walkes still at the club, it is understandable why Jackett has decided to allow the experienced right-back to run down his contract.
Bolton comes to Portsmouth on the back of some high praise from assistant manager Joe Gallen, who said the following about the right-back via BBC Sport: “James is solid, a dependable full-back and a positive character. “You need to defend, but also be able to provide service to the attacking players and we believe he can do both.”
Pompey fans, will you miss Thompson? Join the discussion by commenting below…
