Young full-back Brandon Haunstrup wants to make the 2017-18 the season when he breaks into Pompey's first team - with his chances boosted by Enda Stevens' exit.
The 20-year-old defender has signed a new deal - leaving only Stanley Aborah, Amine Linganzi, Noel Hunt and Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain as out-of-contract players whose futures are yet to be decided.
Haunstrup told the Pompey website: 'I’m almost 21, so hopefully this will be the year when I get the chance to cement a place in the first team. Reserve team football is good, but there is no feeling like going out before a big crowd and competing with something at stake.
'I remember my competitive debut against Derby in the League Cup. I was in the tunnel and could feel the atmosphere from the thousands of buzzing fans — I’m hungry for more of that. With a new manager in place it is a blank sheet of paper and everyone will be eager to impress when we return for pre-season training.
'It was difficult for me last season because I dislocated my shoulder against Bournemouth in pre-season and that kept me sidelined for a few months. Then I went on loan to Sutton and got injured again. And with Enda Stevens being one of the best left-backs at that level, it was always going to be a tough task to play when I was fit.
'Now I’m hoping for a change of fortune. Being a local lad and having risen through the ranks since I was seven, it would mean so much to me to find success at Fratton Park.'
Haunstrup joins Kyle Bennett, Gareth Evans, Jack Whatmough and Ben Close in having signed new deals..
| Advertisement |
|
|
Click here to sign up for an account and reserve your username! You can then post on the Forum and add your comments to articles