‘No different to Rodri’: The big Ebou Adams billing after completing '£500,000' Portsmouth switch
Pompey are closing in on a move for Derby County midfielder Ebou Adams.
Pompey have been given a glowing reference over midfielder Ebou Adams.
The 30-year-old has become the second new face through the doors at Fratton Park this week, following the arrival of Millenic Alli on loan from Luton Town on Wednesday.
Reports elsewhere have suggested John Mousinho’s men have paid £500,000 for Adams’ services, bringing an end to his two-year stint at Pride Park.
After first making a loan move to the Rams in January 2024 from Cardiff City, which saw him play an influential role in Derby’s League One promotion, the Gambia international made his stay permanent at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.
The former Forest Green talent thrived under Paul Warne and was named club captain before being awarded Derby’s 2024-25 Player of the Season.
Adams totalled 89 appearances and netted eight goals, which included a strike against Pompey in last season’s 4-0 triumph.
During Warne’s time at the Pride Park helm, the former Rams boss showered the midfielder with praise and revealed what the Blues could expect from their latest addition.
Big Derby billing over new Pompey arrival Ebou Adams
He told BBC Radio Derbyshire in March 2024: ‘Ebs has had a massive impact in the dressing room, the club, the training ground. He’s like the smiliest kid ever.
‘I met his partner and his child for the first time after the game and he was the only one left using the facilities so fair play to him.
‘He’s motivated to do well but he’s the sort of player we’ve been trying to get for quite a while.
‘I just think we missed a bit of metal in the middle of the pitch and he’s really athletic, plays forward.
‘The penalty that Dwoight (Gayle) won was a good run in behind and we’ve been craving for runs in behind and Ebs played the pass.
‘He’s added a lot of metal and aggression, wins headers, wins tackles which is essential. That’s no different to Rodri. Rodri does that and he can play, as can Ebs.
‘He’s added that, added dynamism in the dressing room, in the meeting room, he’s just a happy, lovely soul. I’m really glad he’s at the club at the moment.’
Pompey’s midfield options
With Adams linking up with Mousinho’s squad, he adds much-needed reinforcements to the Blues’ engine room.
Pompey were dealt a huge blow over summer signing Mark Kosznovszky on the eve of the window after the Hungarian suffered ACL and MCL damage against Charlton Athletic at the end of December.
Luke Le Roux has filled his place in the side in recent weeks, while Marlon Pack and John Swift have also been vying for a spot in the centre of the park.
Meanwhile, Andre Dozzell has been an ever-present in Mousinho’s ranks, which has seen him start 25 of the Blues’ 26 matches in all competitions to date.
The Blues make the trip to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday afternoon, with Adams needing to be registered by midday on Friday in order to feature at Hillsborough.