Portsmouth Manager Praises New Signing Keshi Anderson Following Birmingham City Exit
Portsmouth manager John Mousinho has made a significant claim about the club's latest acquisition, winger Keshi Anderson, who has secured a new team merely a week after departing Birmingham City. The Championship side confirmed the signing of the 30-year-old on an 18-month contract, marking a swift resolution to his brief period as a free agent.
Anderson's Departure from Birmingham City
Anderson's exit from Birmingham City occurred just seven days ago, with his contract terminated by mutual consent. This move concluded a two-and-a-half-year tenure with the Blues, during which he made 92 appearances and scored ten goals. His time at the club included both the relegation to League One and the subsequent promotion back to the Championship, where he played a key role in the team's resurgence.
However, this season saw Anderson's opportunities diminish following the arrivals of Demarai Gray and Lewis Koumas, leading to him falling out of favour with manager Chris Davies. His last appearance for Birmingham City was in a 3-0 defeat at Watford on New Year's Day, a match that now holds added significance as Portsmouth prepare to face Watford in their upcoming fixture.
Mousinho's Enthusiastic Response to the Transfer
John Mousinho, whose Portsmouth side currently sit third from bottom in the Championship but are level on points with Blackburn Rovers, expressed his delight at securing Anderson's services. "We're delighted to bring Keshi to Fratton Park and acted quickly to sign him once he became available," Mousinho stated. "He's a talented winger with experience of competing in the Championship, which is exactly what we were searching for."
The Portsmouth boss went on to highlight Anderson's potential impact, adding, "We've added an exciting player who has the ability to get the crowd up off their seats and we're looking forward to seeing what he can do at Pompey." This endorsement underscores the club's belief in Anderson's skills and his capacity to energise the team and supporters alike.
Anderson's Career Journey
Keshi Anderson began his professional career with non-league side Barton Rovers, where his performances caught the attention of Crystal Palace. During his time with the Eagles, he undertook several loan spells, including one at Swindon Town, which he later joined permanently in 2018. His career path then led him to Blackpool before he earned a contract with Birmingham City under manager John Eustace after a successful trial in the summer of 2023.
Looking ahead, Anderson's move to Portsmouth sets up an intriguing narrative for the final day of the season, when Birmingham City are scheduled to travel to Fratton Park. This fixture will provide a poignant reunion and a chance for Anderson to demonstrate his abilities against his former club.
The swift nature of this transfer highlights the competitive dynamics of the Championship, where clubs must act decisively to secure talent. Portsmouth's acquisition of Anderson reflects their strategic approach to bolstering their squad as they navigate the challenges of the league.
