Newcastle United star Matt Ritchie reveals sensational plans for Portsmouth homecoming

The Premier League star has revealed his ‘burning ambition’ to rejoin the club he left in 2011 and help them back to the football big time.

Ritchie explained he’s set himself the challenge of making a significant impact at PO4, after being restricted to just 10 senior appearances before being sold to Swindon by Steve Cotterill.

The 30-year-old is currently with Newcastle United, where he’s recently signed a new contract until 2023 and is enjoying his football.

But the Gosport lad wants to give meaningful service to the team he supports and came through the ranks with as a youngster.

Ritchie said: ‘To play for Portsmouth was a dream - and I do feel I’ve got unfinished business there, for sure.

‘I feel I’ve got a good five to seven years in the locker still and I’ve just signed a new contract with Newcastle, where I’m really enjoying my time.

‘But in my head my next challenge is definitely to play for Portsmouth again - and have an impact.

‘I’ve really got a burning ambition to have some sort of success at Portsmouth. Whether that’s in three, four or five years, who knows?

‘But certainly for me I want to play - and I want to go back there and make an impact.

‘I don’t want to come back and do one of those where I’m finished and my legs have gone.

‘That’s not how I want to do it. I want to come back, offer something and have an impact.

‘I want to be part of a success story at Portsmouth, for sure.

‘My goal now is to come back to Portsmouth at some stage, have an impact and success. It would be great to take the club back to where it deserves to be.

‘When I left the club it was on a downward spiral, so I would like to play a part in getting the club to the next level and be part of something special in helping them to the Premier League.’

Ritchie has visited Fratton Park in recent years and continues to follow Pompey’s progress, despite now operating at the highest level at St James’ Park.

He expressed his pleasure at the direction the club’s headed under American owner Michael Eisner.

Ritchie added: ‘The main thing for me is I’m really pleased the club is back on its feet and got stability again.

‘It seems there’s some sensible owners in place and people who care about the football club.

‘It seems to moving in the right direction and hopefully, in the not too distant future, I can hopefully have some sort of say and play a part. Who knows what could happen?

‘I read things like 50,000 tickets sold for Wembley to play Salford. It’s a unique football club, it really is.

‘One day it will be back where it belongs but I’ve got unfinished business I want to put to bed. I want to be a part of Portsmouth Football Club again.’