‘We didn’t want to’: John Mousinho explains Christian Saydee’s Portsmouth departure after completing Wigan Athletic switch.
Christian Saydee’s two-year spell at Pompey is finished after joining Wigan Athletic. John Mousinho has stated the reason behind Christian Saydee’s Pompey departure. The 23-year-old has left Fratton Park to join League One club Wigan Athletic on a three-year contract. The Blues favourite leaves for an undisclosed amount, marking a significant departure as the head coach prepares for the 2025-26 season. Saydee joined PO4 from Bournemouth in June 2023, signing a three-year contract. The muscular attacker became an instant hit, with his powerful performances from the bench helping Mousinho’s team win League One.
After Pompey returned to the Championship, he struggled to find game time, scoring three goals in 29 appearances. And that decision to find more match minutes was a major factor in his tearful departure from Fratton Park to join Ryan Lowe’s Latics.
John Mousinho explains Christian Saydee’s Pompey exit
Mousinho remarked on the club website about Saydee’s departure: ‘Christian was a popular member of our squad, and I know he’ll be missed by staff, players, and supporters. ‘He has made significant contributions over the last two seasons and was a pleasure to have at Fratton Park. ‘But he now has the opportunity to play more regular minutes, and we did not want to stand in the way of that. We appreciate him for everything he has done in a Pompey shirt and wish him all the best in the next stage of his career.’ Subscribe to The Portsmouth News’ Pompey coverage and more, click here.
Christian Saydee’s Pompey career
Saydee began his trial at Fratton Park in the summer of 2022 under Danny Cowley, featuring in pre-season friendly against the Hawks and Gosport. Although the former Pompey manager declined to sign the Bournemouth teenager, an impressive loan spell that season persuaded Mousinho to make a move for him. Despite arriving as a striker, the ex-Burton man was used as a number ten, making an immediate impact off the bench with Colby Bishop and Kusini Yengi preferred to lead the line. WATCH HERE: The most recent edition of Pompey Talk. Saydee scored four goals in 42 appearances across all competitions as Pompey won League One and returned to the Championship.
Last season, the 23-year-old scored only three goals in 31 appearances for the Blues, as game time dried up in the second division. Nonetheless, he netted twice against Middlesbrough in August and scored Pompey’s final goal of the season in a 1-1 draw with Hull City in May.
Read more on sportupdates.co.uk
Leave a Reply