Downing, Johnson and Williams exit as Pompey announce retained list
POMPEY have announced their retained list over the weekend.
Saturday was the deadline for clubs to confirm the scenario over their squad and position over contracted, out-of-contract players and loanees.
Contract options have been taken up on Marcus Harness, Louis Thompson, Jay Mingi and Jayden Reid, as first revealed by The News 12 days ago.
And the scenario over the remaining members of the squad is as expected.
Pompey remain in negotiations with The News/Sports Mail Player of the Season Sean Raggett, forward Aiden O’Brien, attacking player Reeco Hackett and winger Michael Jacobs over new deals.
Defenders Callum Johnson and Paul Downing, midfielder Shaun Williams and keeper Ollie Webber will all leave the club as their contracts expire.
Loanees Gavin Bazunu (Manchester City), Mahlon Romeo (Millwall), Hayden Carter (Blackburn), George Hirst (Leicester) and Tyler Walker (Coventry) have all returned to their respective parent clubs.
Head coach Danny Cowley has stated a desire for Carter and Hirst to return next season, with Pompey hopeful of being able to seal another loan deal for the Leicester striker later in the transfer window.
Young keeper Toby Steward and midfielder Harry Jewitt-White have been handed senior deals, while Dan Gifford and Alfie Bridgman will become third-year scholars.
Pompey have 10 players already under contract for the 2022-23 season.
They are Alex Bass, Kieron Freeman, Denver Hume, Liam
Vincent, Connor Ogilvie, Haji Mnoga, Clark Robertson, Joe Morrell, Ryan Tunnicliffe and Ronan Curtis.
With the four options that gives Cowley a group of 14 players to work with, with four emerging talents.
Johnson leaves after spending the past season on loan at Fleetwood, while Downing made a temporary move to League Two side Rochdale in January.
Williams made 35 appearances after arriving from Millwall last summer, but picked up a serious injury at the end of January when he fractured his spine against Charlton.
Webber joined from Crystal Palace in January, yet the 21-year-old didn’t make a senior appearance as he operated as Bazunu’s understudy.
Pompey’s retained list Under contract:
Alex Bass, Kieron Freeman, Denver Hume, Liam Vincent, Connor Ogilvie, Haji Mnoga, Clark Robertson, Joe Morrell, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Ronan Curtis.
Options taken:
Marcus Harness, Louis Thompson, Jay Mingi, Jayden Reid.
Loan returned:
Gavin Bazunu, Mahlon Romeo, Hayden Carter, George Hirst, Tyler Walker.
In negotiations:
Sean Raggett, Reeco Hackett, Michael Jacobs, Aiden O’Brien.
First-year pros:
Toby Steward, Harry Jewitt-White.
Third-year scholars:
Dan Gifford, Alfie Bridgman.
Leaving:
Ollie Webber, Callum Johnson, Shaun Williams, Paul Downing.