Chaplin returns to Portsmouth on loan

Conor Chaplin returns to Portsmouth, six years after leaving the club

Portsmouth have sealed the loan return of Conor Chaplin to Fratton Park in one of the stories of transfer deadline day across the EFL.

Ipswich forward Chaplin first joined Portsmouth at the age of six, signing his first professional deal with the club in 2014 and scoring 25 goals in 122 appearances before joining Coventry City in 2018.

The 28-year-old moved to Barnsley in 2019 and Ipswich in 2021, top-scoring in League One in 2021-22 and helping The Tractor Boys win consecutive promotions before featuring in their Premier League campaign in 2024-25.

"This is a deal I know everyone's going to be excited about and we're grateful to Ipswich," said Mousinho, calling Chaplin a "proven Championship goalscorer".

"With the fact that he's at the prime of his career – along with the history he has here – it's a brilliant signing for us."

Portsmouth also completed three other deals on deadline day: goalkeeper Josef Bursik from Club Brugge, 21-year-old striker Makenzie Kirk from St Johnstone for undisclosed fees and they also sealed a permanent deal for Crystal Palace academy winger Franco Umeh.

Bursik has agreed a two-year-deal at Fratton Park, having made 53 appearances for Stoke City in the Championship before moving to Belgium in 2023.

The 25-year-old played for England at under-21 level and had EFL loan spells at Accrington, Doncaster, Peterborough and Lincoln.

Stoke loaned Bursik to Scottish Premiership club Hibernian last season but he failed to make an appearance.

"He's someone who showed a lot of promise as a youngster and has played plenty of Championship games," Mousinho added.

"Josef really bolsters the options we've got in the goalkeeping department and is a target that's been in our sights for a while now, so we're delighted to get the deal done."

Northern Ireland under-21 international Kirk has signed a three-year contract.

The 21-year-old came through the Hearts academy and played for Hamilton's youth sides. During his time at St Johnstone, he scored 14 goals in 50 appearances.

Mousinho said: "We're bringing in a player who's an incredibly exciting young prospect and has already featured in plenty of first team games up in Scotland.

"As well as being one for the future, we believe he's someone who can have a positive impact on the side right now.

"We're very excited to have Makenzie in our squad. I'm looking forward to working with him and watching him continue to develop."

Makenzie Kirk has been capped three times for Northern Ireland Under-21s

Umeh, who joined Palace from League of Ireland side Cork City in 2023 and made 37 appearances for the Eagles' under-21 team, has signed a four-year deal at Fratton Park for an undisclosed fee.

Mousinho said: "Franco was one of the outstanding players in Premier League 2 last season.

"He was very highly rated in what is a talented Crystal Palace side and has also been around their first team, training with them and being on the bench.

"He's one who we've been tracking for just over a year now and brings a lot of pace and athleticism to our front line."

Franco Umeh has signed a four-year deal at Portsmouth