The names Matt Clarke, Christian Burgess and Jack Whatmough instantly spring to mind for many but there have been other defenders who have gone on to have successful careers.
However there have been other career paths for others, who have gone into coaching and technical roles.
And no doubt there’s been a few who wore royal blue who slipped your minds...
We take a look at where Pompey’s 23 central defenders over the past decade have ended up.
Here’s what we found.
5. Gabor Gyepes
The former Hungarian international spent a single season at Fratton Park playing 37 times, scoring in four of them. After leaving Pompey in 2013, he would go on to play for Hungarian sides, Feherver, Soroksar and TVE Budapest. Photo: Sarah Standing
6. Kevin Long
Long spent two months on loan on the south coast from Burnley, just managing to notch up five outings before returning to Turf Moore in October 2013. He would go on to have loan spells at Barnsley and MK Dons and is still on the books at the Clarets, although he hasn’t featured this season. Photo: Allan Hutchings
7. Sam Sodje
Sodje was known for his association with controversial match-fixing allegations after being sent off in a 1-0 defeat at Oldham. Those allegations were later dropped. The 41-year-old spent just two months at Fratton Park making nine appearances. Photo: The News
8. Ben Chorley
The 39-year-old spent 18 months on the south coast making 31 outings between January 2014 - June 2015. He would later play for Stevenge and Bromley and last year became Director of Football at Swindon. Photo: Joe Pepler