26-year-old Bristol City defender becomes Portsmouth's first January transfer window signing.
Portsmouth have today secured the services of centre back Rob Atkinson on loan from Championship rivals Bristol City.
Atkinson was born in Chesterfield but came through the youth ranks of Cannes in France before moving back to England to kickstart his senior career with Basingstoke Town in 2016.
He was snapped up by Fulham in 2017 for a fee of £30,000 but failed to make a first team appearance for the club, featuring predominantly for the Under-23s.
2 years later, the defender returned to Basingstoke on loan for the second half of the 2019/20 campaign before signing permanently for Eastleigh that summer. Atkinson would spend 1 year at Eastleigh and 1 year at Oxford United before moving again in 2021 - Bristol City recruiting him from Oxford for an undisclosed seven-figure fee.
34 Championship appearances across the 2021/22 season was backed up by another 26 outings the following campaign, however in 2023, Atkinson suffered an ACL tear and has failed to register a competitive appearance since.
Blues boss John Mousinho told Portsmouth Football Club in the statement revealing Atkinson's arrival: "Rob is a proven Championship centre-half, who is excellent defensively and very dominant.
"He can also handle bringing the ball out from the back, so we're delighted to welcome him to the club."
Atkinson will be available for selection on Sunday for Pompey's Championship clash with Sunderland at the Stadium Of Light.
For reaction to this signing and a preview of this weekend's game, be sure to tune in to The Football Hour on Express FM this evening from 6pm - Jake Smith will be joined alongside Mark Coates and Tom Chappell to discuss all of the latest news regarding PFC!
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