Toby Steward remains highly thought of Fratton Park, hence Pompey’s decision to reward him with a new three-year deal

Pompey keeper Toby Steward is heading out on loan again.

But he does so after agreeing to a fresh contract at Fratton Park.

The 21-year-old has put pen to paper on a new three-year deal with the Blues, which secures his long-term future.

Yet the first year of that agreement will be spent back at St Johnstone, where he enjoyed a successful season-long loan last term.

The Pompey academy graduate was an ever-present for the Perth side last season, keeping 17 clean sheets, as the McDiarmid Park outfit booked their place back in the Scottish Premiership.

He’ll now link up with Simo Valakari’s side for a second time in order to get much-needed senior experience.

Steward didn’t travel with John Mousinho and the rest of his first-team squad to Ireland for a week-long training camp.

Confirming the news, Mousinho said: ‘Toby enjoyed an excellent spell with St Johnstone last season and we were delighted with his development.

‘It’s no surprise that they wanted him back and we’re pleased that he will now get a chance to test himself at a higher level.

‘We have given Toby a new contract because we believe he has a very bright future in the game and I look forward to seeing how he performs during the 2026/27 campaign.’

St Johnstone kick off their new season with a Scottish League Cup away to Linlithgow Rose on Tuesday, July 14.

They begin their Scottish Premiership campaign with a home game against Kilmarnock on Sunday, August 2.