Newcastle United stalwart’s 'dream' reunion looks increasingly unlikely as two EFL clubs keep tabs

Recently released Newcastle United star Matt Ritchie is unlikely to return to Portsmouth this summer despite claiming that it is his ‘burning ambition’ to return to the club that he left in 2011.

The Gosport-born ace joined Pompey’s academy when he was just 13-years-old and signed his first professional contract six years later in 2008.

Ritchie was on the fringes of a team that contained the likes of Jermaine Defoe and Peter Crouch and with a point to prove kick-started his career with a successful loan spell at Dagenham Redbridge in League Two where he fired in 11 goals from 36 matches.

The Scottish international won the League Two title during a second loan spell with Notts County, but was given just 10 senior opportunities in total to prove himself for Portsmouth as he was sold to Swindon Town. A second League Two promotion under Paulo Di Canio followed as Ritchie and his boyhood club began to go in very different trajectories across the Football League.

Ritchie went on to win a further two promotions with Bournemouth under Eddie Howe, before achieving further success with Newcastle as he won the Championship title under Rafael Benitez. The veteran proved himself in the top-flight by making 215 appearances in all competitions across eight seasons at St James’ Park. But he has always admitted that he has ‘unfinished business’ at Fratton Park.

In an interview in 2020, he told Portsmouth News: ‘To play for Portsmouth was a dream - and I do feel I’ve got unfinished business there, for sure.

“I feel I’ve got a good five to seven years in the locker still and I’ve just signed a new contract with Newcastle, where I’m really enjoying my time. But in my head my next challenge is definitely to play for Portsmouth again - and have an impact. I’ve really got a burning ambition to have some sort of success at Portsmouth. Whether that’s in three, four or five years, who knows?

“But certainly for me I want to play - and I want to go back there and make an impact. don’t want to come back and do one of those where I’m finished and my legs have gone. That’s not how I want to do it. I want to come back, offer something and have an impact. I want to be part of a success story at Portsmouth, for sure.

“My goal now is to come back to Portsmouth at some stage, have an impact and success. It would be great to take the club back to where it deserves to be. When I left the club it was on a downward spiral, so I would like to play a part in getting the club to the next level and be part of something special in helping them to the Premier League.”

Portsmouth are a club who are finally getting themselves back on track after years of financial mismanagement. Last season they steamrolled their way to the League One title and due to Ritchie’s departure from St James’ Park there have been whispers of a move back down south.

However, Portsmouth News understands that the chances of a sentimental move at this stage are unlikely due to the club’s new recruitment model which is aimed at targeting young players that can be harnessed by manager John Mousinho. Ritchie, however, is not short of suitors after his Newcastle departure. Over the course of his career he has won five promotions and showcased great determination and leadership.

Such qualities make him a target for Championship duo Blackburn Rovers and Millwall who have both been linked with the star, according to EFL Hub.

In a parting statement, Eddie Howe wished Ritchie and other departing stars such as Paul Dummett, Loris Karius, Kelland Watts and Jeff Hendrick ‘the very best for the future.’ He added that Ritchie and Dummett were ‘both incredible people and players to work with.’