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Why Abu Kamara chose Pompey over Charlton & other interest to complete homecoming

· Pepe Lacey · 2026-08-14T04:06:59+00:00 · nguồn gốc

Why Abu Kamara chose Portsmouth over Charlton Athletic and other interest to complete homecoming Abu Kamara completed his Fratton Park homecoming on Monday in a £2.5m deal from Hull City. The chance to enjoy his football again was the driving factor behind Abu Kamara’s emotional return to Pompey. And the winger has made it clear there was never any doubt of going anywhere else amid summer interest from Charlton Athletic. After spending last term on loan with Getafe, regular football was not in the offing at the MKM Stadium next season as Sergej Jakirovic assembled his squad for top-flight football. The Tigers subsequently sanctioned an exit for the attacker just two years after completing a £4.5m move from Norwich City. Why Abu Kamara chose Pompey over Charlton & Co This alerted a number of clubs - including Pompey, who were hoping to finally capture the League One title winner on a permanent basis, while Charlton Athletic and other suitors were reportedly interested. But a return to Fratton Park - a place where he’s enjoyed his most memorable campaign to date - this summer was never in doubt for Kamara, who has been patiently waiting to complete his PO4 comeback ever since his loan exit in 2024. Speaking in an interview with the Blues’ in-house media, the Fratton favourite said: ‘Honestly, driving down as soon as I saw the water, I knew I was back home. ‘I would say this window definitely was the main one because earlier on (this summer) the boss (John Mousinho) called me to see where things could go. ‘It’s always been on the back of my mind so when things started to move forward, there was no doubt I was going to go anywhere else but here. I’m happy to be back. ‘I think when I get back to Fratton Park, that’s when it will really sink in but I’m just taking it as it goes. ‘Obviously, they (Mousinho and Rich Hughes) were saying they want me back here, they want me to thrive here and provide magical moments again. ‘I think the way the club is going is on an upwards trajectory and I just wanted to be a part of something special. ‘I know this place and had an amazing time here so I know I can be happy here, thrive here and I just want to be a part of the club’s history. ‘I just got that feeling as soon as I entered Portsmouth you just feel a different kind of vibe from the fans to just people walking around. Everything just seems brighter down here.’ The Pompey duo calling for Kamara return Kamara was, of course, part of the Blues’ 2023-24 League One title-winning campaign, which saw him net 10 goals and collect 11 assists in all competitions. While the winger has stayed in touch with a number of players from that successful season, there have been two familiar faces who have been in constant contact since then in a bid to lure him back to PO4. When asked if he still speaks to team-mates from that season, he said: ‘Yeah from time to time I still touch base with Chris (Christian Saydee), Kas (Kusini Yengi) a little bit, Robbo (Alex Robertson), Terry (Devlin) is always calling me and Marlon (Pack) too. But I haven’t really lost contact with any of them. ‘Yeah definitely agent Terry. But Marlon’s also always asking me when am I coming back. ‘I just tell him when do you want me back? Have a little joke but now I really am here.’