Promising Portsmouth talent among eight departures in 20 days amid Havant & Waterlooville exodus
The promising right-back made six appearances at Westleigh Park
A promising Pompey youngster has become the eighth player to depart the Hawks under new management.
Pat Suraci and Joe Lea have wasted no time in overhauling the Southern League Premier South strugglers in the aftermath of Aaron Martin’s exit.
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And the latest to leave is Michael Ani, following the expiry of a one-month loan deal with the Blues, having been recruited by caretaker boss Shaun Gale.
The right-back, who signed first-year professional terms with John Mousinho’s men in the summer, had impressed at Westleigh Park, featuring six times.
That includes a substitute appearance in the 1-0 defeat at Bath, representing the Hawks’ most recent game, leaving them 21st in the table - one place off the bottom.
However, Suraci and Lea have now decided to go in a different direction, with Ani’s departure coming barely a week after recruiting fellow Pompey player Nathaniel Chioma, also on loan.
Portsmouth defender Chioma’s switch from Poole to the Hawks
Chioma had also played under the duo at Poole, scoring on his second appearance in a 1-0 victory over Basingstoke in the FA Trophy last month.
Following their subsequent switch to the Hawks, the talented left-back has followed, signing on a three-month loan from Fratton Park.
Chioma made his debut against Bath having been named in the starting XI, before being replaced by Ani from the bench.
Now Ani is back at Fratton Park, while Chioma will be hoping his second Southern League Premier South loan spell of the season can help drive the struggling Hawks up the table.
Pompey’s third Academy graduate from the summer, Chinedu Agu, is presently at Basingstoke, having linked up with the 13th-placed side earlier this month.
‘Ani made the move over to the Hawks at the end of September and made his debut in our FA Trophy fixture at Westleigh Park against Taunton Town. Michael made 6 appearances during his time with the Hawks and departs with our best wishes for his return to Portsmouth.
‘We would like to place on record our thanks to both Michael and Portsmouth for their work during the loan spell.’
Eight departures and six arrivals in October
However, under Suraci and Lea there have been six arrivals over the last few weeks, including Chioma and former Pompey players Bradley Tarbuck and Joe Oastler.
The Hawks paid an undisclosed fee to Poole to bring back Oastler for his second Westleigh Park spell, having previously left for AFC Totton in September 2023.