‘A lot of teams disappointed’: Huge Portsmouth contract claim made as sensation’s stock rises again

Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill has revealed Terry Devlin is ‘in the process’ of penning a new Pompey contract.

And the 23-year-old has been branded a ‘manager’s dream’ by the head coach, who lauded the Blues defender’s incredible man-of-the-match display for the Green and White Army.

The right-back made his mark on the world stage on Saturday evening, netting his first international goal with a brilliant effort from range in Northern Ireland’s 1-0 win against Ukraine in the Nations League.

It continued Devlin’s rich vein of form in front of goal, having struck four times in 14 Championship appearances for John Mousinho’s troops this term and is presently the Blues’ top scorer.

Having impressed on the international stage with a man-of-the-match in the Nationals League success, the versatile operator’s stock will no doubt be on the rise once again having stormed to Pompey’s 2025-26 player of the season.

The full-back still has 18 months to run on his current Fratton Park deal after penning a long-term contract in February 2025 following a strong Championship breakout.

Pompey sensation ‘in process’ of signing new Fratton deal

But with his game going to the next level, O’Neill has claimed Devlin is now ‘in the process’ of penning fresh terms on the south coast in an exciting boost for the Fratton faithful.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph after Saturday’s 1-0 win, the Green and White Army boss said: ‘Terry’s a great lad. He deserves everything he’ll get from the game. He’s one of those lads that maximises what he has.

‘He was a midfield player when he was here in the Irish League. Portsmouth see him in a different role (right-back) and he’s taken that role and he’s adapted to it.

‘I asked him in Slovakia (where) we needed him to play off the left. He does it with no fuss. He tries to do it to the best of his ability. He’s a bit of a dream for a manager.

‘And he has the ability to contribute goals. We’ve seen that for Portsmouth already. He’s a very valuable player for them, I think he’s in the process of signing a new contract there and there’s a lot of teams in the Championship I imagine will be disappointed by that.’

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Terry Devlin’s Pompey career and Wrexham interest

After signing from Glentoran in 2023, Devlin has flourished into a powerful Championship operator and a mainstay in Mousinho’s ranks.

The right-back has netted 11 goals and collected four assists in 116 outings for Pompey and was rewarded with a new deal following a strong 2024-25 breakout.

His game improved once again last season, which prompted a bid from Wrexham late in the January transfer window - although that offer was promptly knocked back.

Although the Blues were braced for further interest in the young sensation in the summer, Devlin remained on the south coast and has been a regular for Mousinho’s men, who currently sit two points outside the play-offs.

His Fratton Park emergence is now being recognised on the international stage, with O’Neill utilising the defender’s versatility with spells at left-back for Northern Ireland.

Devlin and the Green and White Army are back in action on Wednesday in a Nations League decider against Hungary, with the winners earning promotion to League A.

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