A typically eventful summer has seen deadwood chopped away, an England full-back sold and a midfielder opt to desert the south coast in favour of savouring the delights of Bolton.

In addition, the presence of the manager and owner has still to be rubber-stamped.

Still, for Ritchie, July 9 marks the beginning of his most eagerly-anticipated campaign yet.

Fresh from penning a two-year deal to remain at Fratton Park, the 19-year-old is itching to push on and prove his Pompey worth.

Last year's breakthrough season saw him crowned Pompey's Young Player of the Year following a magnificent loan spell at Dagenham & Redbridge.

Now back in the Blues fold, he's eager to show the extent of his footballing development.

Last year the Gosport youngster announced his arrival with a friendly hat-trick against his hometown club.

And with a busy pre-season programme poised to get under way, Ritchie is hoping for the chance to catch the eye again.

He said: 'I'm definitely excited about next week, I can't wait really.

'There's not long to go before all the lads are back again in training and trying to show whoever is in charge what we can do.

'You always know that if you have a good pre-season it gives you a boost – whatever level you are aiming at.

'Obviously it's the chance to catch the eye and, for me personally, show how much you have improved as a player, because that is what I think I have done.

'I spent last season on loan at Dagenham & Redbridge and had a good year – now I want to push on.

'Hopefully I can squeeze into the pre-season squad.

'This is the club I want to be at, it didn't take me long at all to sign a new contract. All the time they want me I will stay at Pompey.

'Now I want to impress during the pre-season and I intend to work hard to achieve that.

'At the end of the last season I played in Kanu's charity game and scored two goals, which was good.

'The game was very relaxed and all the young lads in the changing room before kick-off were thinking "this is the time we can impress".

'We saw it as an opportunity that if we did something special a lot of people will start to notice us.

'Now I want to do more than that and hopefully I can get the chance during pre-season.'

A fitness addict, there has been no lounging on beaches and relaxing by the pool for Ritchie.

With sport to play there is little time for anything else in the life of the born-and-bred Pompey fan.

No wonder he feels super fit ahead of next Thursday's return.

He added: 'I have been playing golf every day, I love it. And I've been playing tennis.

'I've also been going to David Lloyd Centre two or three times a week to use the gym and stay fit. I've been out running along the Gosport sea front too.

'I am in a privileged position as a footballer and if you do not put your whole mind to it you won't get the rewards. You have got to work hard to get what you want from life.

'And I'm definitely prepared to work hard.'