Forgotten Portsmouth winger transfer-listed by League One strugglers after brutal head coach rant

Former Pompey winger Josh Koroma has been told he is not part of Richie Wellens’ plans at Leyton Orient less than 12 months into his three-year deal.

His return to Brisbane Road was billed as a sensational homecoming in July 2025 as he completed his free-transfer switch to the club where he started his career.

But it’s been a season to forget for the frontman, who has netted just three goals and collected four assists in 37 outings in all competitions.

In fact, Koroma is without a strike in any of his past 28 matches - a disappointing goalless drought that dates back to August 2025.

But just 10 months into his stay, the 27-year-old has been transfer-listed by the O’s as Richie Wellens rips up his squad following a dismal League One campaign.

Former Pompey loanee transfer-listed by League One club

Despite a play-off final defeat last term, there were expectations Leyton Orient would be able to bounce back from their Wembley heartache and establish themselves as promotion contenders.

However, the east London outfit would go on to avoid relegation on the final day and beat the drop by just three points on their way to a 20th-placed finish.

Wellens has since pulled no punches ahead of the summer and has subsequently released five first-team players, including Tobi Oluwayemi - brother of ex-Pompey goalkeeper Josh, Tom James, Jack Simpson, Makai Welch and Diallang Jaiyesimi.

Meanwhile, Koroma has been told he is no longer part of the head coach’s’ plans for next term and has since been made available for transfer alongside Sean Clare, Tyreeq Bakinson, Lemar Gordon and Sonny Perkins.

The forgotten Pompey loanee, who netted five goals and collected three assists in 24 outings during the first half of the 2022-23 campaign, has now been given the green light to depart Brisbane Road with two years still to run on his current terms.

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Richie Wellens’ brutal Leyton Orient rant

There was expectations Leyton Orient would bounce back from their play-off final defeat against Charlton Athletic and establish themselves as promotion hopefuls this term.

But after securing survival on the final day, Wellens delivered a damning assessment of his players after a disastrous campaign.

And the head coach explained a number of his squad’s future - including Koroma’s - is under the spotlight as he begins his preparations for next season.

He said: ‘We had relegation written all over us. So I’ve told them, clap the fans because they’ve earned it. They’ve paid their money all season to come and watch us home and away, they deserve to be clapped.

‘But then don’t be celebrating with your family. Get off the pitch. It’s been an embarrassing season.

‘Too many players that have wasted 10 months of their career. I’ve had one year of my managerial career that I’ve wasted.

‘Then they’ve wasted the supporters’ time. We’ve not given them enough days to turn up to. Not enough good days.

‘There’s certain players that are out of contract that, at the moment, probably won’t be given one at the same money.

‘The ones that have got contracts are going to be struggling to get a new contract. Then there will be players with contracts that we want to move on.

‘I’m not going to kid them. I’m an honest person. I’ve been questioning them in meetings and one-on-ones. I need more.

‘We’re giving you opportunities to improve and give them all the information. We’ll put an analytical video in the players’ group and 50 per cent of them don’t watch it. How do you get that?’

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