Brandon Haunstrup rejects Portsmouth deal - and closes in on Kilmarnock

Kenny Jackett was keen to retain the 23-year-old to aid the Blues’ latest bid to escape League One.

However, Mark Catlin revealed the left-back has rejected an improved offer, which included a pay rise.

With his contract having now expired, Haunstrup is now classed as a free agent and is presently in negotiations with Kilmarnock.

Should that prove to be his destination, Pompey will be entitled to receive training compensation, in line with FIFA regulations.

Catlin told The News: ‘We made an offer to Brandon.

‘We would have liked him to have stayed, but given the new salary proposals and where we feel he is with his career, he feels his future is better served elsewhere.

‘Obviously he is out of contract and free to do that.

‘The offer is still there for Brandon, we would like him to sign, but obviously it’s his decision.’

Haunstrup came through Pompey’s ranks to make 57 appearances and score once.

However, following a knee injury in December, he played just twice more this season, failing to make a squad after January.

That includes not being named in Jackett’s 20-man squad for either leg of the play-off semi-final against Oxford United.

Instead, Lee Brown and Steve Seddon were preferred at left-back – as has been the case during the second half of the campaign.

Haunstrup featured 19 times during the 2019-20 season, memorably scoring his first career goal at Harrogate Town in the FA Cup in November.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

Thank you for reading this story. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on our advertisers and thus our revenues.

The News is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism. You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news and information online.

Every subscription helps us continue providing trusted, local journalism and campaign on your behalf for our city.