Peterborough defender signs for Pompey
Pompey have signed Christian Burgess from League One side Peterborough for an undisclosed fee.
The 23-year-old defender has penned a three-year deal at Fratton Park.
And he insists that dropping into the fourth tier does not feel like a step backwards.
Burgess said: “This is a massive club and the set-up down here is great. I got a call from the gaffer, had a look round and everything was first class.
“It doesn’t feel like a League Two club – there are more fans here than at most League One sides.
“Hopefully we can move up the leagues and we want to meet the expectations that there are of us.
“I’m excited to be here and am looking forward to what is hopefully an exciting season ahead.”
Pompey’s first friendly at Havant & Waterlooville is just over a fortnight away, but Burgess is already thinking about the League Two opener against Dagenham & Redbridge on August 8.
He said: “I’ve had my first training session with the club and now I want to get back into the pre-season routine.
“We’ve got a few friendly games coming up, but we’re already looking towards those first couple of competitive matches.”
Burgess played non-league football before being signed by Middlesbrough while he was studying for a degree in history.
He made one senior appearance for the Teessiders and spent a season on loan at Hartlepool.
The centre-back then moved to Peterborough last summer and scored four goals in 32 appearances.