Pompey Confirm Henderson Deal

Last updated : 09 July 2011 By Jim Bonner

Portsmouth FC has officially confirmed the signing of Stephen Henderson on a free transfer from Bristol City after compensation for the 23-year-old was agreed.

The former Yeovil Town loanee has signed a three-year-deal and hopes to push Jamie Ashdown for his first team place after an outstanding campaign at Huish Park which saw him voted as Yeovil's player of the season.

At 23, Stephen has plenty of potential to get better but will only do that by playing games. Given that he moved from Bristol City because he couldn't get first team football there, this move suggests that Steve Cotterill plans on Henderson taking over from Ashdown in the near future.

Whilst I expect Ashdown to stay as Pompey's number one for the time being, it wouldn't surprise me to see Henderson used in cup games and should Jamie make the mistakes he did last season then there is far more chance he'll be replaced this campaign as Flahavan was only ever going to play if Ashdown was injured.

In other news, it is good to see that Hermann Hreidarsson has signed an extension. At 36, I expect this will be the Iceman's final season in professional football and he should be good backup. I do not expect him to be a regular given that Cotterill is chasing Paul Konchesky and has ear-marked both Tal Ben-Haim and Jason Pearce for the left back role.

With Halford's signing to be confirmed, it is no surprise that Aaron Mokoena's agent has said that he is looking for a move to the UAE after falling well down the Pompey pecking order. Will anyone really miss him?