Brett Pitman addresses those Portsmouth 100-game contract clause rumours

The prolific striker, who was released on Thursday, never again played for the Blues after featuring as a substitute at MK Dons on December 29.

His non-involvement sparked speculation among supporters that one more match – his 100th for the club – would have resulted in a new deal.

Those constant rumours have been repeatedly denied by the club – yet largely fallen on deaf ears.

Now Pitman’s had his say – and he has also dismissed the suggestion.

He told The News: ‘No, there’s nothing in that.

‘I had seen the rumours and, to be honest, even if that was the case for why they weren’t playing me, I would have gone to the club and said “Do you know what, just scrap that, I just want to play”.

‘But that wasn’t the reason, there was nothing in it. Not that I know of anyway.

‘To my knowledge, there was definitely not anything in my contract about reaching 100 games.’

After signing for Pompey from Ipswich in July 2017, Pitman scored 42 goals in 99 outings.

That outstanding haul includes 25 goals in the 2017-18 campaign, becoming the first Blues player to break the 20-goal barrier in a season since Svetoslav Todorov 15 years earlier.

Pitman has now departed Fratton Park along with Oli Hawkins, Adam May and Matt Casey, while the exits of Luke McGee and Christian Burgess were previously known.

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