Portsmouth confirm deal struck for former Arsenal defender following protracted negotiations

The right-back has signed a one-year deal at Fratton Park, with the club having the option of extending his stay for another 12 months.

The deal brings to an end the defender’s contract saga, after the 23-year-old was told at the end of last season that an option on this previous deal woud not be activated.

That meant both parties having to renegotiate terms for the Arsenal academy product to remain at PO4.

Confirming the news, John Mousinho said: ‘We’re absolutely delighted to agree a contract for Zak to stay at the club.

‘He’s a talented young player and showed plenty of promise last season to help us win the League One title.

‘Now the challenge for Zak – as with the rest of the players – is to make the step up to the Championship and we believe he has the qualities to do that.’

Swanson has made 44 appearances for the Blues following his 2022 move from the Gunners for an undisclosed fee.

While talks over a new deal continued, Pompey bolstered their right-back options with a free transfer move for former Barnsley captain Jordan Williams - one of five new signings made by the Blues during the current transfer window.

Swanson and Williams will now be in direct competition for the right-sided full-back role, with the season opener against Leeds United three weeks away. Swanson is the fourth member of the Blues’ title-winning squad to sign a new contract this summer, following in the footsteps of skipper Marlon Pack, plus defenders Connor Ogilvie and Conor Shaughnessy.