PORTSMOUTH HAVE ANNOUNCED the signing of former Aston Villa and Shamrock Rovers left-back Enda Stevens. The Dubliner was released by Villa last week after failing to earn a new contract.
New Portsmouth boss Paul Cook will know Stevens well, having spent almost five years managing Sligo Rovers in the League of Ireland. He thinks his new signing could break into the Irish squad.
“We’re delighted to bring Enda to the club. He brings a lot of quality and adds balance to the left-hand side.
It’s important now that he kick-starts his career and has aspirations to progress and perhaps get into the Ireland squad.
“He’s got all the talent in the world, but he has to knuckle down with us and be the player that I believe he can be.”
Stevens spent most of the last two seasons out on loan, taking in two spells at Doncaster and two one-month loan deals with Notts County and Northampton Town.
Stevens hasn’t played for the Villains since the 2012/13 campaign and Tim Sherwood opted not to retain his services when his contract ran out this month.
Portsmouth have suffered three relegations since 2010 after going into administration twice in three years. Cook is the man tasked with bringing Pompey back up the footballing ladder.
Originally published at 14.41