Some had illustrious careers, others were sneaked in under pseudonyms and had varying levels of success. Here’s the 20 players who came to Pompey in trial.
. Georgi Kinkladze
Came on trial in 2003 and spent a period training before moving abroad | JPIMedia Photo: Jon Brady
. Berlin
Mysterious figure turned up at Torquay in 2006, earned a contract but never got near the first team. | JPIMedia Photo: Jon Brady
. Thiago Motta
Came to Pompey in 2008 on trial but a deal was never seen to fruition and the former Barcelona man went on to play for Inter Milan and PSG instead. | JPIMedia Photo: Matthew Ashton
. Aaron Jarvis.
Aaron Jarvis trialled with Pompey last summer. Picture: Habibur Rahman | JPIMedia Photo: habibur rahman
. Ryan Bird
Ryan Bird completed a meteoric rise to sign for Pompey after two goals at Hawks in 2013. | JPIMedia Photo: Mick Young
. Geovanni
Former Benfica and Barcelona man scored at Yeovil but signed for Manchester City in 2007. | JPIMedia Photo: Daniel Hambury
. Gareth Evans
The mysterious 'Wayne Evans' appeared at Hawks in 2015 and has gone on to become a huge favourite | JPIMedia Photo: Graham Hunt
. Denilson
Pompey handed Brazilian winger Denilson a trial in 2006. However the one-time world's most expensive player, when he signed for Real Betis for £21.5m, couldn't agree a deal with the club | JPIMedia Photo: RICARDO MAZALAN
. Amdy Faye
The other story Harry Redknapp's bulldog Rosie is renowned for. 'Andy Henry' came on trial in 2003 and was 'kidnapped' by Redknapp until he signed a deal. | JPIMedia Photo: Tony Marshall
1. Berlin
Mysterious figure turned up at Torquay in 2006, earned a contract but never got near the first team. | JPIMedia Photo: Jon Brady
2. Thiago Motta
Came to Pompey in 2008 on trial but a deal was never seen to fruition and the former Barcelona man went on to play for Inter Milan and PSG instead. | JPIMedia Photo: Matthew Ashton
3. Aaron Jarvis.
Aaron Jarvis trialled with Pompey last summer. Picture: Habibur Rahman | JPIMedia Photo: habibur rahman
4. Ryan Bird
Ryan Bird completed a meteoric rise to sign for Pompey after two goals at Hawks in 2013. | JPIMedia Photo: Mick Young