Notre Dame head coach Chad Riley explains why Portsmouth have landed a rising star in Duncan Turnbull

That’s the view of his former coach at the University of Notre Dame, Chad Riley, who believes the 21-year-old has both the talent and character to excel at Fratton Park.

The giant stopper signed a deal with the Blues until the summer of 2021 following a successful trial.

Pompey also have the option of another year, with manager Kenny Jackett keen to bolster his goalkeeping options.

At present, Turnbull will have current No1 Alex Bass and Craig MacGillivray ahead of him in the pecking order.

But Riley is confident his former player, who spent time with both Aberdeen and Manchester United before arriving on the south coast, can make the step up and rise to the challenge in front of him.

The Fighting Irish head coach said: ‘You never really know until somebody moves up a level and how they will respond.

‘But from my point of view, from when Duncan was a younger goalie to now, every time he’s stepped up a level he’s risen to that challenge, and I know through this process of going to have trials, he really impressed a lot of people.

‘It seems that he is responding well.

‘And, for me, he has all the raw ingredients to really make that jump.

‘The game will be a little bit faster, strikers will be a little more accurate, but I’m confident he can step up to the challenge.’

Coming in at six-foot-seven, Turnbull towers over both Bass and MacGillivray, who are 6’2’ and 6’3’ respectively.

That makes him a huge presence between the posts and someone who can command his penalty area.

But coach Riley believes the Houston Dynamo third-round pick in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft, has more to his game than a just physical attributes.

He added: ‘I know Duncan is someone who has a lot of potential.

‘I spent two years with him and he’s really grown. Not grown taller, because he’s been tall for a while, but grown as a goalkeeper – and I’ve been really impressed with his progress.

‘He really does have all the tools – good hands, he reads the game well, he’s quick for a very big guy, he comes for crosses well, his distribution over long range is good.

‘So I know he’s got a lot of potential which someone else has seen, and I’m glad he’s been given the chance at Pompey.

‘He’s also a really steady guy, really mature – he was a good student in accounting and had a very impressive GPA at Notre Dame.

‘He’s very mature, very humble, but at the same time very positive in his ability.

‘Duncan doesn’t get fazed by much, but clearly recognises the history of Pompey.

‘He knows it’s a huge club and that’s made him very excited.’