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Enda Stevens is back where he belongs – in the Premier League.
Enda Stevens celebrates the League Two title with Pompey chairman Iain McInnes - now he's in the Premier League. Picture: Joe PeplerEnda Stevens celebrates the League Two title with Pompey chairman Iain McInnes - now he's in the Premier League. Picture: Joe Pepler
Enda Stevens celebrates the League Two title with Pompey chairman Iain McInnes - now he's in the Premier League. Picture: Joe Pepler

And Gary Roberts is convinced his former team-mate will thrive returning to the top flight he last inhabited with Aston Villa.

Since departing Fratton Park on a free transfer in the summer of 2017 following the League Two title triumph, Stevens’ career has continued to thrive.

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Now an established Republic of Ireland international, his Sheffield United side earned promotion to the Premier League last season.

And Roberts is delighted for the one-time The News/Sports Mail Player of the Season.

He said: ‘What a two years Enda had at Pompey.

‘He was absolutely unbelievable, never missed a day’s training, fit as a fiddle, and what a player, what a relationship down the left with Kyle Bennett too.

‘I am still quite close to Enda and he is one of the best lads I’ve met in my career.

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‘It’s fantastic to see him get promoted, now he is back where he belongs.

‘I think his ability and work-rate belong at the top level, he’s such a good player and obviously involved with the Republic of Ireland now.

‘He is as fast as anything, one of the fastest I have played with, so quick, strong, those big thick Irish legs are so powerful. Never misses a game, never misses training, never misses a night out!

‘I’m really looking forward to seeing how he gets on.

‘I’m made up that Enda’s partner’s had a baby as well, his life is going so well at the minute.’

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Stevens made 99 appearances and scored once for Pompey after arriving from Villa in June 2015.

Yet upon the expiry of that two-year deal, the talented left-back switched to Bramall Lane on a free transfer.

Roberts added: ‘The manager (Paul Cook) wanted to give him a new deal and the club wanted to hold out a little bit.

‘But he would have signed if they would have given him one in January – and they could have made a lot of money out of him.

‘They never did, though, and he held out and moved on because there was a lot of interest. He deserved his move too.’

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