Aston Villa striker signs for Blues
Pompey have strengthened their attacking options by signing Aston Villa striker Michael Drennan on a one-month youth loan, subject to Football League approval.
The 20-year-old Republic of Ireland under-21 international recently returned from a spell with League One Carlisle, where he made six appearances.
Blues boss Richie Barker said: “Michael can get in behind people and gives us the ability to get further up the pitch.
“He’s been a real threat whenever I’ve seen him play for Aston Villa. He’s a bit unusual in the sense that most youngsters today want to play short to feet.
“We have been watching him for a few months – I wanted to take him when I was at Crawley – but he was in and around Villa’s first team squad.
“With David Connolly leaving we had done well to get away with what we had, but I thought we needed an extra option.”
Drennan has progressed through the ranks at Villa Park and was second top scorer in last season’s NextGen Series – despite being injured for the latter stages of the tournament for European under-19 squads.
He also bagged six goals in 11 appearances for the under-21 side – including a hat-trick against Sunderland.
The previous season, Drennan helped his side clinch the Barclays Premier Reserve League South title for the fourth time in five years.