Portsmouth youngster signs three-year Aston Villa deal after heartbreaking Fratton Park exit
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A promising goalkeeper released by Pompey has found himself a new club - Aston Villa.
Ex-Blues under-16 player Jack Allan suffered heartbreak at Christmas when he was informed he wouldn’t be offered scholarship terms at the end of the season.
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Hide AdInstead Pompey’s Academy opted for goalkeeping rival Oscar Glover to progress into next year's under-18s.
As a consequence, Allan looked elsewhere to progress his football career, earning a trial at Villa - and the Premier League club snapped him up after three weeks.
Last week, the youngster signed a three-year contract, consisting of a two-year scholarship and then first-year professional terms.
He then linked up with Villa’s under-17s for a tournament in Egypt to kick off his new challenge.
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Hide AdIn recent years, Pompey’s youth goalkeeping department has been spearheaded by the highly-promising Toby Steward.
The 19-year-old has long been part of the first-team set-up, despite yet to make his debut, having been fast tracked from the youth set-up.
The Blues also have high hopes for Oscar Glover, who earned the nod ahead of Allan to become a scholar from July.
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Hide AdThe goalkeeper started against Folland Sports in the Hampshire Senior Cup in November, in a side consisting of first and second-year scholars.
However, with the match heading into a penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw, he was replaced by Smith - a year his senior - for penalties against the Wessex League Division One side.
Sam Hudson’s men went on to lose 5-4 on spot-kicks to be eliminated.
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